
fhsi ffV 4 5 8ST 
Book.D 4- 



PRESENTED MY 



Ml 



DEVOTIONS 



FOR 



THE SICK ROOM, 

AND FOR 

TIMES OF TROUBLE; 

COMPILED 

iFrow &ntitnt %ituvsit& 

AND 

THE WRITINGS OF HOLY MEN. 

FROM THE FIRST LONDON EDITION, 
WITH ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS, 

BY THE 

Rj<!V. WILLIAM BERRIAN,D.D. 

HECTOR OF TRINITY CHURCH, NEWYORK. 



Jfeo-JDork : 
STANFORD & SWORDS, 139, BROADWAY. 

1847. 



2V* 



4SSS 



Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1844, by 

WILLIAM BERHIAN, D.D., 

in the Clerk's office of the District Court, for the Southern District of 

New York. 






JOHN R. M'GOWN, PRINTER, 
eVI, FULTON-ST. N. Y. 



t&zbkatzb 

TO THE BLESSED MEMORY OP ONE 

WHOSE DYING BED WAS CHEERED BY THESE DEVOTIONS ' } 

AND WHO 

LIVING IN CLOSE COMMUNION WITH 

&!)* ftOtO, 

WAS ENABLED WITH CHEERFUL PATIENCE, 

&o follow 4) im, 

IN HUNGER AND THIRST, 

IN PAINFULNESS AND WEARINESS, 

THROUGH A LONG PROTRACTED PERIOD, 

UNTIL SHE FELL ASLEEP, 

In 4jim, 

ON THE NIGHT OF THE COMMEMORATION OF 

fli0 Sactjeo jpaesiott, 

IN THE YEAR OF GRACE, 
MDCCCXLIII. 



PREFACE 

TO THE 

AMERICAN EDITION 



The want of a full and appropriate manual of devotion, adapted to 
the peculiar necessities, the changing circumstances, and diversified 
state and character of all who are in trouble or distress ; has been 
often felt by the clergy, in their visitation of the sick and afflicted, 
and still more by the sufferers themselves. Not that those who stood 
in need of comfort and support had ever been overlooked or forgotten, 
but that in the sad variety of human wo, each form of it had not re- 
ceived the consideration which it deserved ; and that much that was 
suited to the respective cases of distress, instead of being brought to- 
gether in a single volume, was scattered and diffused. It had long 
been my desire to remedy this evil, and some steps had been taken 
towards its accomplishment, when I unexpectedly discovered that my 
plan had been anticipated in some measure, by an English work 
which was submitted to my inspection with a view, if it were ap- 
proved, to its republication. I found on a careful examination of it, 
that much of it was exceedingly precious ; but it was full even to 
redundance, unsuited in certain respects to the taste and feelings of 
the age, and, therefore, not calculated to produce the good which, 
with all its excellence, it so truly deserved. It seemed therefore to 
require a thorough revision, which it has now received ; and though 
the general form of the work remains the same, many parts of it have 
been cast into a different mould. In order to give to this little volume 
itill greater fullness, I have added to it all the Prayers for the sick 
and afflicted which, in the course of a long ministry, I have been led 
to prepare, on various occasions, for cases of sorrow and trouble* as 
they successively occurred. W. B. 



IPJwwiSwffi pmssirm 



£, AN EARLY SERVICE TO BE USED ON FIRST 

AWAKING OR RISING. 

EJACULATIONS. 

I laid me down in peace and took my rest, for 
Thou, Lord, didst make me dwell in safety, (Ps. iv. 8.) 

I have thought upon Thee in the morning, because 
Thou hast been my helper ; therefore, under the sha- 
dow of Thy wings will I rejoice. My soul hangeth 
upon Thee ; Thy right hand hath upholden me. 

Blessed art Thou, O Lord, my God, and the God 
oi my fathers, who turnest the shadow of death into 
the morning, and rene west the face of the earth ; who 
hast enlightened my eyes that I should not sleep in 
death. All glory be to Thee, O Lord, for the sleep 
and protection which Thou hast graciously given me 
this night. 

PRAYERS. 

O Thou, who hast foretold that Thou wilt return 
to judgment in an hour that we are not aware of; 
grant us grace to watch and pray always, that, whe- 



s 

ther Thou shalt come at even, or at midnight, or in 
the morning, we may be among the number of those 
servants who shall be found waiting for their Lord. 
Amen. 

O Lord, our heavenly Father, Almighty and ever- 
lasting God, who hast safely brought us to the begin- 
ning of this day ; defend us in the same with Thy 
mighty power, and grant that this day we fall into no 
sin, neither run into any kind of danger ; but that all 
oar doings being ordered by Thy governance, may 
be righteous in Thy sight, through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



II. MORNING PRAYER. 

[One or more of the following sentences may be used at discretion.] 

I am the resurrection and the life : he that believ- 
eth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live : 
and whosoever liveth and belie veth in me shall never 
die. (John xi. 25, 26.) 

It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this 
the judgment. (Heb. ix. 27.) 

He cast out the spirits with his word, and healed 
all that were sick ; that it might be fulfilled which 
was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself 
took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. (Matt, 
viii. 16, 17.) 

If we sutler with Him we shall also reign with 



Him. May I know Him then, and the power of His 
resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, 
being made conformable unto His death ; if by any 
means I might attain unto the resurrection of the 
dead. (Col. i. 19-23 ; Phil. iii. 10, 11.) 

I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are 
not worthy to be compared with the glory which 
shall be revealed in us. (Rom. viii. 18.) 

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery 
trial which is to try you, as though some strange 
thing happened unto you : but rejoice, inasmuch as 
ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings ; that, when 
His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with 
exceeding joy. (1 Pet. iv. 12, 13.) 

CONFESSION. 

O Eternal God ! whose gracious wisdom vouch- 
safes to command such things as are necessary to fit 
us for everlasting bliss, and to forbid such as would 
make us eternally unhappy, I, a miserable sinner, 
humbly prostrate myself before Thy adorable Ma- 
jesty ; and with true and hearty sorrow, accuse and 
condemn myself. I confess, O Lord God, that I 
have grievously sinned against Thee, in thought, 
word, and deed. [Here pause and examine yourself.] 
But have mercy upon me, O most merciful Father, 
have mercy upon me, forgive my sins, and bring me 
to everlasting life for the sake of Thy Son Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen, 

Our Father, &o» 



10 

V. O holy Father, the Giver of life, of health and 
of safety ; 

R. Have mercy upon me, for I am weak. 

ANTIPHON. 

Then shall my mouth be filled with Thy praise, and 
I will sing of Thy glory and honour all the day long. 

[Here may be used one or more of the Psalms appointed for the day.\ 

LESSON.^ 
(Jab v. G— 9, 11, 17, 19.) 

Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, 
neither doth trouble spring out of the ground ; yet 
man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward. 
I would seek unto God, and unto God would I 
commit my cause : which doeth great things and 
unsearchable ; marvellous things without number : 
to set up on high those that be low ; that those which 
mourn may be exalted to safety. Behold, happy is 
the man whom God correcteth ; therefore despise not 
thou the chastening of the Almighty ; for He mak- 
eth sore and bindeth up : He woundeth, and His 
hands make whole. He shall deliver thee in six 
troubles ; yea, in seven there shall no evil touch 
thee. 

* Those who have sufficient strength should read the Lessons 
appointed by the Church, 



11 

Prayer.— Cause me, O God, to believe Thy 
word, to obey Thy commands, to fear Thy judgments, 
to hope in Thy mercies, and to depend upon Thy 
gracious promises, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. 

[Here the Te Dewm may be said.] 

" We praise thee, O God." 

[ Or, this Psalm of praise :] 

" Praise the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia.' , 

We praise Thee, O Lord. Almighty Father, we 
praise Thee. 

Everlasting, true, and only Son, we praise Thee. 

Holy Spirit, Perfecter, and Sanctifier of the Faith- 
ful, we praise Thee. 

Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth proclaim Thy 
glory. 

Thou who art the Fulness of the empty ; the Light 
of the blind ; the Restorer of the lost ; we praise Thee. 

Comforter of the desolate ; Father of the father- 
less ; Judge of the widows ; Helper of the helpless ; 
Healer of the sick, we praise Thee. 

King of kings and Lord of lords, we praise Thee 
and magnify Thee for ever. 

SECOND LESSON. 
(St. John xiv. 1-4, 18, 25-27; xvi. 23, 24, 33.) 

Let not your heart be troubled ; ye believe in 
God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are 
many mansions ; if it were not so, I would have told 
1* 



12 

you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go 
and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and 
receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye 
may be also. I will not leave you comfortless; I 
will come to you. These things have I spoken unto 
you, being yet present with you. But the Comfort- 
er, which is the Holy Ghost, w^hom the Father will 
send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and 
bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I 
have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my 
peace I give unto you ; not as the world giveth, give 
I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither 
let it be afraid. Verily, verily, I say unto you, 
Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name He 
will give it you. Ask, and ye shall receive, that your 
joy may be full. These things I have spoken unto 
you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world 
ye shall have tribulation ; but be of good cheer ; I 
have overcome the world. 

[Then repeat the Creed : and afterwards say], 

V. O holy God, O holy and mighty, O holy and 
immortal, have mercy upon us. 

R. O Christ, the Son of the living God, have 
mercy upon us. 

V. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee. 

jR. Let thy merciful kindness, O Lord, be upon 
us ; as we put our trust in Thee. 

V. Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness ; 



1 *5 

10 

R. And let Thy saints sing with joy fulness. 

V. O Lord, save Thy people. 

R. And bless all in authority over us. 

V. O think upon Thy Church, which Thou hast 
purchased with Thy precious blood. 

R. Peace be within her walls, and plenteousness 
within her palaces. 

V. Let the sighing of the sick ascend before Thee, 
O Lord. 

R. And hear Thou their cry. 

V. Sun of righteousness, arise upon us, with heal- 
ing in Thy wings. 

R. Enlighten our hearts, and pour upon us the 
dew of Thy blessing; 

V. That we may rightly use the day of grace. 

R. O Thou who earnest in humility to save us ; 

V. Come, now, graciously, to deliver us. 

R. Lead Thy afflicted servants from the house of 
bondage ; 

V. And rescue them from the power of the wicked. 

R. Smite, as Thou pleasest, our health, or our 
life; 

V. But cast us not off in the midst of our sins, 
nor suffer us to die in impenitence. 

R. But make us, O Lord, ready for Thyself; 

V. That we may pass from death unto life, and 
dwell with Thee in peace. 



14 

Praters. 

I. THE COLLECT FOR THE DAY. 

II. PRAYER FOR PROTECTION. 

O Lord our God, who governest all things by 
the counsel of Thy will; whose hand can wound 
and heal, lead down to the grave, and bring 
up again ; I bow myself before Thee, humbly be- 
seeching Thee to preserve me this day from all dan- 
gers, to give me patience and resignation in my 
afflictions, constancy in temptations, and victory 
over all my spiritual enemies. Grant me sorrow for 
my sins, thankfulness for all Thy benefits (especially 
for those of the night past), fear of Thy judgments, 
love of Thy mercies, and mindfulness of Thy pre- 
sence for evermore, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

III. PRAYER FOR PATIENCE AND RESIGNATION. 

Most merciful and gracious Father, who, in the 
redemption of mankind by the passion of Thy dear 
Son, hast established a covenant of sufferings, I bless 
and magnify Thy name, for adopting me into the 
inheritance of sons, and giving me the portion of my 
Saviour. Thou art the God of patience and conso- 
lation : strengthen me, I beseech Thee, in the inner 
man, that I may not only bear the yoke of the Lord 
without murmuring, but may rejoice in this Thy dis- 



15 

pensation. I am unable, of myself, to bear the 
Cross; but do Thou, O Holy Jesus, strengthen me 
under the burden. Lord, pity my weakness, sanctify 
my sickness ; save me and deliver me. suffer me 
not to offend Thee by impatience, nor to weaken the 
hands and hearts of those that charitably minister to 
my needs ; but let me pass through this valley of 
tears, and the shadow of death, in peace and safety, 
with a meek and submissive spirit, and a deep sense 
of Thy mercies. Grant this, O gracious Father, for 
the merits and intercession of our merciful High 
Priest, who once suffered, and now intercedes for 
me, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 

IV. PRAYER FOR PHYSICIAN AND ATTENDANTS. 

O most blessed and eternal Saviour, who art the 
great Physician of souls, and who orderest all things 
well for them that love Thee ; Look down upon me 
with pity in my. sufferings and sorrows. Bless, I 
beseech thee, the attendance of Thy servant [N] to 
the restoration of my health ; direct his judgment, 
prosper his medicines, and, if it be Thy holy will, 
restore me once more to the society of the living that 
I may praise Thy goodness in the congregation of 
Thy saints. Bless all those dear and kind friends 
who minister to my necessities, give them patience to 
bear with my infirmities, and reward them in Thine 
everlasting kingdom, and give me grace to treat them 
with kindness, gentleness, and gratitude, for Christ's 
sake. Amen. 



16 



[Then may follow the " General Thanksgiving" from the Book of Com- 
mon Prayer; and any Prayers of intercession which may be approved, 
or any of the Prayers for particular occasions, according to the discre- 
tion of the persons using them.] 



THE BLESSING. 

The Almighty Lord, who is a most strong tower 
to all them that put their trust in Him, to whom all 
things in heaven, in earth, and under the earth, do 
bow and obey, be now and evermore our defence ; 
and make us know and feel that there is none other 
name under heaven given to man, in whom, and 
through whom, we may receive health and salvation, 
but only the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 

III. SHORT MORNING PRAYERS, FROM THE SERVICES 
OF THE GREEK CHURCH. 

1. O Lord our God, I give Thee hearty thanks 
that thou hast raised me up again, and put into my 
mouth the words of Thy praise ; and that thou hast 
once more permitted me to bless and magnify Thy 
holy name for the favour and loving kindness which 
I have hitherto experienced through the whole course 
of my life. Send down Thine aid upon all who 
stand before the face of Thy Glory, waiting for the 
riches of Thy mercy ; and grant them, with fear and 
love, to serve and praise Thee for Thine unspeakable 
goodness for ever and ever, through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



17 

2. O Holy and Incomprehensible Lord God, 
who didst bid the light to shine out of darkness; 
who hast refreshed us with sleep in the night, and 
raised us up to praise Thy goodness ; we, therefore, 
beseech Thee, receive the worship and thanks which 
we render unto Thee, and grant us all things neces- 
sary for our salvation. Remember, O Lord, in the 
multitude of Thy mercies, all Thy people who at 
this time present their petitions with us ; and all our 
brethren on the earth, or on the seas, in all places of 
Thy dominion who are in need of Thy special help 
and goodness, and grant them Thy protection, that, 
being saved, both in body and soul, they may always 
continue to praise Thy wonderful and glorious name 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

3. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we glorify 
Thee, we give thanks unto Thee, O God of our 
fathers, that Thou hast brought us through the dark- 
ness of the night, and shown us again the light of 
day. We implore Thy goodness to forgive us 
our sins, and receive our prayers, for we flee unto 
Thee for mercy and protection. Let the Sun of 
righteousness enlighten our minds and shine upon 
our path, that walking in the way of Thy com- 
mandments, we may attain unto everlasting life ; 
through the mercy, compassion, and loving-kind- 
ness of Thine only-begotten Son, with whom, toge- 
ther with Thy most Holy. Blessed, and life-giving 



18 

Spirit, Thou art praised both now, and for ever. 
Arien. 

4. IllUxMinate our hearts, O Lord, with the Wis- 
dom from above, and open the eyes of our minds 
to understand the truths of Thy Gospel. Graft in 
us the love of Thy eommandments, that all carnal 
desires being subdued, we may be governed by the 
Spirit, and all our thoughts and works be pleasing 
in thy sight, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



The third, the sixth, and the ninth hours, divide 
the day into even spaces of time, and are therefore 
allotted to prayer; that while we are intent upon 
other business, and may forget our duties towards 
God, the very hour when it comes may put us in 
mind 1 hereof. And how can we do less than three 
times in the day at least (besides morning and even- 
ing, which will invite us to prayer of themselves), lali 
down and worship the Blessed Trinity, Father, Son, 
and Holy Ghost? — -S. Isidore. 



THE THIRD HOUR. 

[It includes the time from nine o'clock till noon; and the prayers may be 
used before entering on the general employments and business of the day. \ 

In the exercise of devotion and prayer, we read 
that the three children and the prophet Daniel, strong 



19 

in faith, and victorious in captivity, observed the third 
hour of the day. — S. Cyprian. 

SENTENCES. 

And it was the third hour. (Mark xv. 25.) 
It is but the third hour. (Acts ii. 15.) 
Let your prayer be made at the third hour also ; 
for then it was that Pilate gave sentence upon our 
Lord and Saviour to have Him crucified. — Const. 
Apost. 

At the third hour of the day let us give ourselves 
to holy supplication and prayer, having in continual 
remembrance the most glorious gift of the Holy 
Ghost which was then bestowed upon the Apostles 
of Christ.— S. Basil 

HYMN. 

Come, Holy Ghost, who ever one 

Art with the Father and the Son ; 
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls possess 

With thy full flood of holiness. 
Let mouth, and heart, and flesh combine 

To herald forth our creed divine ; 
And love so wrap our mortal frame, 

Others may catch the living flame. 
This grace on Thy redeem'd confer, 

Father, coequal Son, 
And Holy Ghost the Comforter, 

Eternal Three in One. 

TEXT. 

God is love; and whosoever dwelleth in love 
dwelleth in God, and God in him, 
2 



20 

O Thou who at the third hour didst send down 
the Holy Ghost into Thine Apostles, take not away 
that same Spirit from us, but renew Him daily in 
our hearts and fill us with the riches of His grace. 

Lord, have mercy upon us. 

Christ, have mercy upon us. 
Lord, have mercy upon us. 
Our Father, &c. 

COLLECT FOR THE DAY : 

And then the Prayers following. 

Almighty God, who as about this hour didst in- 
struct and replenish the hearts of Thy faithful ser- 
vants by sending down upon them the light of Thy 
Holy Spirit; grant us by the same Spirit lo have a 
right judgment in all things ; that we may both per- 
ceive and know what things we ought to do, and 
also may have grace and power faithfully to perform 
the same ; through the merits of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, who was also at this hour contented to receive 
the bitter sentence of leath for us, and now liveth 
and reigneth in the unity of the same blessed Spirit, 
one God, world without end. Amen. 

Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness, and 
the well-spring of all graces, who hast vouchsafed 
to regenerate us, being born in sin, by water and the 
Spirit in the blessed laver of baptism, receiving us 



21 

thereby into the number of Thy children, and mak- 
ing us heirs of everlasting life in the communion 
of all Thy glorious saints ;^ strengthen us, we be- 
seech thee, O Lord, with the Holy Ghost the Com- 
forter, and daily increase in us Thy manifold gifts 
of grace, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, 
the Spirit of counsel and ghostly strength, the Spirit 
of knowledge and true godliness, and fill us, O 
Lord, with the Spirit of Thy holy fear, through Him 
who sent down the Spirit upon His Church, Thy 
Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 

DOXOLOGIES. 

The Lord's name be praised from the rising up 
of the sun to the going down thereof. 
Glory be to the Father, &c. 



THE SIXTH HOUR. 
\It inclwks the time from noon till three o'clock^ 

Besides, we observe the sixth hour, not only for 
that we find holy men before us to have done the 
like, both in the Old Testament, as Daniel in his 
chamber, and in the New, as Peter upon his house ; 
but also for that our Lord Jesus Christ was at this 

* Look down upon us, O Lord, and upon those thou hast given us, 
and whom we have dedicated unto thee ; (or) and all those who are 
pledged unto Thee in that holy sacrament. 



22 

hour exalted upon the cross, like the serpent in the 
wilderness, that whosoever turneth to Him might be 
healed. — S. Cyprian. 

SENTENCES. 

And it was about the sixth hour, and there was 
darkness over all the earth. (Luke xxiii.) 

Peter went up upon the house-top to pray about 
the sixth hour. (Acts x. 9.) 

At noonday will I cry, and that instantly ; and He 
shall hear my voice. (Ps. lv. 17). 

Let your prayers be made also at the sixth hour ; 
for at that time was our Lord and Saviour crucified 
upon the cross for us. — 'Const. AposL 

Be instant in prayers with God, and worship Him 
that hung upon the cross, at the sixth hour of the 
day. — S. Athanasius. 

HYMN. 

O God, the Lord of place and time. 

Who orderest all things prudently, 
Brightening with beams the opening prime, 

And burning in the midday sky : 

Quench Thou the fires of hate and strife. 

The wasting fever of the heart ; 
From perils guard our feeble life, 

And to our souls Thy peace impart 

This grace on thy redeem'd confer, 

Father, coequal Son, 
And Holy Ghost the Comforter, 

Eternal Three in One. 



TEXT. 

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the 
law of Christ. 

O Thou who at the sixth hour didst nail the sins of 
the world to the same cross with Thyself, 

Blot out the handwriting of our offences which is 
against us, 

And save us. 

O Saviour of the world, who, by Thy cross and 
precious blood, hast redeemed us; save us and 
help us, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord. 

Lord, have mercy upon us. 

Christ, have mercy upon us. 
Lord, have mercy upon us. 

Our Father, &c. 

COLLECT FOR THE DAY. 

And then the prayers following. 
O Lord Jesus Christ, who hast suffered death on 
the cross, that we might be brought to eternal life, 
have mercy upon us, we besr ech Thee, both now 
and at the hour of death ; and grant unto us, Thy 
humble servants, with all others who hold thy pas- 
sion in devout remembrance, a prosperous and godly 
life in this present world, and, through Thy grace, 
eternal glory in the life to come; where, with the 
Father and the Holy Ghost, Thou livest and reignest 
ever one God, world without end. Amen. 
2* 



24 

O Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, who 
wast given both to be a sacrifice for sin, and also an 
ensample of godly life, and who didst bid us take up 
our cross daily and follow Thee, make, we pray 
Thee, the yoke of Thy commandments easy and the 
burden of thy cross light, unto our souls. Conform 
us to the likeness of Thy passion, and give us grace 
to die unto sin, and to live unto righteousness, for 
thy merits, O Lord, who with the Father and the 
Holy Ghost ever livest and reignest one God, world 
without end. Amen. 

DOXOLOGIES. 

The Lord's name be praised from the rising up of 
the sun to the going down thereof. 
Glory be to the Father, &c. 

THE NINTH HOUR. 

[It includes the time from three o'clock till six; and the prayers may be 
used after the business of the day is concluded.] 

At this hour did flow from the side of our 
Saviour, the blood, whereby we are redeemed, and 
the water, wherewith we are regenerate ; Jesus 
yielded up the ghost ; the thief was admitted into 
Paradise ; the labourers sent into the vineyard ; and 
forgiveness of sins promised to them that repent and 
come unto Christ, even at the last hour. — Rupinus de 
Div. Of. 



25 



SENTENCES. 

At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, 
and gave up the ghost. (Mark xv. 34.) 

Peter and John went up together into the Temple 
at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. (Acts 
iii. 1.) 

The Church hath ever been accustomed to inter- 
pret one of the prophets' times of prayer to be the 
ninth hour, and to observe it accordingly. — S, Jerome. 

The ninth hour is accounted solemn and sacred ; 
that, remembering how Christ at this hour coin- 
mended His Spirit into the hand of His Father, we 
also, with devout prayers and supplications, might 
yield up to Him our souls and bodies a living sacri- 
fice. — Rabbanus Maurns. 



HYMN. 

O God, unchangeable and true, 

Of all the life and power, 
Dispensing light in silence through 

Every successive hour. 

Lord, brighten our declining day, 

That it may never wane 
Till death, when all things round decay, 

Brings back the morn again. 

This grace on Thy redeemed confer, 

Father, coequal Son, 
And Holy Ghost the Comforter, 

Eternal Three in One. 



26 



TEXT 



Ye are bought with a price ; therefore glorify God 
in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. 

O Thou who at the ninth hour for us sinners and 
for our sins didst taste death, 

Mortify our members which are upon the earth, 
and whatsoever is contrary unto Thy will, 

And save us. 

Lord, have mercy upon us. 

Christ, have mercy upon us. 
Lord, have mercy upon us. 

Our Father, &c. 

COLLECT FOR THE DAY I 

And then the Prayers following. 

Almighty God, who, of Thy tender love towards 
us, hast sent our Saviour Christ to suffer death 
upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the 
example of His great humility ; mercifully grant 
that we who have this His most precious death and 
passion in continual remembrance, may both follow 
the example of His patience, and be made partakers 
of His glory, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Hear us, O Lord, and remember now the hour 
in which thou didst once commend Thy blessed 
Spirit into the hands of Thy heavenly Father ; when 



21 

with a wounded body and agonized heart Thou 
didst show for'Ji the bowels of Thy mercy, and die 
for us : we beseech Thee so to assist us by this Thy 
precious death, that, being dead unto the world, we 
may live only unto Thee ; and grant that at the hour 
of our departure we may commend our souls into 
Thy hands, and be received into Thine everlasting 
kingdom, there to reign with Thee for ever and ever. 
Amen. 



itewJi m &uum®< 



L— AN E^ ENING SERVICE. 

SENTENCES. 

The .Lord hath granted His loving-kindness in 
the day-time; and in the night-season did I sing of 
Him, and made my prayer unto the God of my life. 
(Ps. xlii. 8.) 

We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last 
trump : for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead 
shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 
(1 Cor. xv. 51, 52.) 

For which cause we faint not ; but though our 



28 

outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed 
day by day. For our li^ht affliction, which is but 
for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding 
and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at 
the things which are seen, but at the things which 
are not seen ; for the things which are seen are tem- 
poral ; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 
(2 Cor. iv. 16—18.) 

And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for 
thee : for My strength is made perfect in weakness. 
Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my in- 
firmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 
(2 Cor. xii. 9.) 

Let patience have her pei c ect work, that ye may be 
perfect and entire, wanting lothing. (James i. 4.) 

O great and glorious Lord, before whom the 
Seraphim cover their faces and at whose feet the 
saints cast their crowns; I bow down in lowliness 
before Thee, but yet offering up my petitions with 
confidence, since Thou hast graciously promised to 
grant what Thy Spirit has inspired us to ask., through 
our Advocate and Redeemer Jesus Christ. Amen. 

CONFESSION. 

Almighty and Everlasting God, who hatest all 
iniquity, I humble myself before Thy adorable Majes- 
ty, confessing with true and hearty sorrow all the 
sins of my past life, and particularly ihose I have 
committed this day,^ by thought, word, or deed, 
* Here name the particular sins. 



29 

against Thy holy laws, provoking, most justly, Thy 
wrath and indignation against me. I acknowledge 
them, O Lord, with shame and confusion of face, 
humbly beseeching Thee to have pity upon me, ac- 
cording to Thy great goodness, and to blot out my 
transgressions. But as is Thy majesty, so is Thy 
mercy, O gracious Father, and, therefore, I beseech 
Thee to hear my humble supplication for the pardon 
of my sins ; forgive them all, O Lord, of what kind 
or degree soever they be ; the sins of my youth, and 
the sins of my riper years ; the sins of my soul, and 
the sins of my body ; my secret sins, and my open 
sins ; my sins of ignorance, and my presumptuous 
sins ; the sins which I have committed to please 
myself, and those wherein I have caused others to 
sin ; forgive them, O Lord, forgive them all for His 
sake who died for our sins, and rose again for our 
justification, and now maketh intercession for us at 
Thy right hand, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

SUPPLICATION FOR PARDON. 

Hear me, O God, my Saviour. Thou that art 
the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of them 
that remain in the broad sea ; be merciful, O Lord, 
be merciful to my sins, and have pity upon me, and 
all Thy people. 

Our Father, (fee. 

V. The Lord is my strength and my song, and is 
become my salvation. 



30 

R. The Lord hath chastened and corrected me, 
but He hath not given me over unto death. 

V. My song shall be always of the loving-kindness 
of the Lord. 

R. For Thou art the Hope of the afflicted, the 
Rest of those who labor and are heavy laden with 
iniquity; and to Thee we offer up our praise. 

O come, then, let us worship, and fall down be- 
fore Him. 

For faithful is He in all His promises, and Hia 
covenant is confirmed to all the generations of His 
saints. 

Lo, now is the shadow of death by Him turned 
into the glorious morning of the resurrection. The 
shadows are past, and the Sun of righteousness has 
risen with healing in his wings. 

Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be 
unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the 
Lamb for ever and ever. Amen. 

LESSON. 
(Hebrews xii.) 

PRAYER. 

O Holy Spirit of grace, cause me both to under- 
stand and love Thy word. 

My son, despise not thou the chastening of the 
Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him ; for 
whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth 



31 

every son whom He receiveth. If ye endure chasten- 
ing, God dealeth with you as with sons ; for what 
son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if 
ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, 
then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore, we 
have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, 
and we gave them reverence ; shall we not much 
rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and 
live ? For they verily for a few days chastened us 
after their own pleasure ; but He for our profit, that 
we might be partakers of His holiness. Now no 
chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but 
grievo us : nevertheless, afterwards it yieldeth the 
peaceable fruits of righteousness to them which are 
exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands 
which hang down, and the feeble knees; and 
make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is 
lame be turned out of the way ; but let it rather be 
healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, 
without which no man shall see the Lord. 

[ Then say the Song of Simeon :] 

" Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant," &c. 

[After which shall follow this Exhortation from the Visitation of the Sick.] 

These words, Christian [brother or sister], are 
written in Holy Scripture for our comfort and instruc- 
tion ; that we should patiently, and with thanksgiving, 
bear our heavenly Father's correction, whensoever 
by any manner of adversity it shall piease liis gra- 
3 



cious goodness to visit us. And there should be no 
greater comfort to Christian persons, than to be made 
like unto Christ, by suffering patiently adversities, 
troubles, and sicknesses. For He himself went not 
up to joy, but first He suffered pain : He entered not 
into His glory before He was crucified. So, truly, 
our way to eternal joy is to suffer here with Christ; 
and our door to enter into eternal life is gladly to die 
with Christ, that we may rise again from death, and 
dwell with Him in everlasting life. Now, therefore, 
taking your sickness, which is thus profitable for you, 
patiently, I exhort you, in the name of God, to re- 
member the profession which you made unto God in 
your Baptism. And, forasmuch as after this life 
there is an account to be given unto the righteous 
Judge, by whom all must be judged, without respect 
of persons, — examine yourself and your estate, both 
toward God and man ; so that accusing and con- 
demning yourself for your own faults, you may find 
mercy at your Heavenly Father's hand for Christ's 
sake, and not be accused and condemned in that 
fearful judgment. Hear the articles of your faith, 
that you may know whether you do believe as a 
Christian should or no. 

[Here repeat the Apostles', or Nicene. Creed.] 
PRAYER. 

I give Thee hearty thanks, O heavenly Father, that 
Thou hast vouchsafed to call me to the knowledge of 
Thy grace and faith in Thee ; confirm this faith in 



33 

me evermore, grant that I may die in this faith, and 
in the peace and communion of Thy Holy Church ; 
and that I may be united to Jesus, the Head of this 
Church, and to all His members, by a love that shall 
never end. Amen. 

Lord have mercy upon us. 

Christ, have mercy upon us. 
Lord, have mercy upon us. 

Our Father, &c. 

V. O Lord, hear my prayer, 

R, And let my cry come unto Thee. 

V. O Lord, save Thy servant, 

R. Who putteth his trust in Thee. 

V. O Lord, save Thy people ; 

R. And make Thy heritage joyful. 

V. Deliver us from all our iniquities ; 

R. And help us for the glory of Thy name. 

V. Let the sighing of the sick ascend before Thee ; 

R. And hear Thou the cry of the poor. 

V. Let Satan have no advantage over them ; 

R. Nor the wicked approach to hurt them. 

V. O let Thine ears consider well the voice of our 
complaint. 

R. For out of the deep have we called upon Thee, 
O merciful Saviour. 

V. Send us holp from Thy holy sanctuary. 

R. Show us the light of Thy countenance, and let 
Thy peace be upon us. 



34 

V. Turn not thy face away from us, lest we be 
like them that go down to the pit. 

R. Keep us, O Lord, in safety, and glorify Thy 
name. 

V. So shall we praise Thee, O Lord ; 

R. And our hearts shall rejoice and sing ; 

V. For Thou, O Lord, art our Refuge ; 

R. Our glory also, and the lifter up of our head. 

V. Thou art always near to relieve the afflicted; 

R. And wilt save the humble of spirit. 

V. Thou, Lord, raisest those that are {alien, and 
bindest up the broken in heart. 

R. Show us Thy mercy, O Lord, who call upon 
Thy name ; 

V. And make all those rejoice, who lift up their 
souls unto Thee. 

R. In Thee have I trusted, let me never be con- 
founded. 

V. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow 
of death, I will fear no evil ; 

R. For thou art with me, Thy rod and Thy staff 
they comfort me. 



35 



I.-— PRAYER FOR PROTECT JON. 

O Lord, our heavenly Father, Almighty and ever- 
lasting God, by whose providence all things both in 
heaven and earth are governed and controlled ; vouch- 
safe, I beseech Thee, as Thou hast this day preserved 
us by Thy goodness, so still this night to shadow us 
under thy wing, and to cover us with Thy mercy, so 
that neither the prince of darkness may have any 
power over us, nor the works of darkness overwhelm 
us, but that, being armed with Thy defence, we may 
be kept from all adversities that may hurt the body, 
and from all wicked thoughts which may assault and 
hurt the soul, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

II. PRAYER FOR PATIENCE. 

O Father of mercies, the God of peace and comfort, 
of rest and pardon, grant me, Thy servant, patience 
in my sickness, comfort in my sorrows, and restore 
me to health, if it seem good unto Thee. But if it 
be Thy will to call me hence, receive my soul into 
Thine everlasting rest, or if it be Thy will to spare 
me, give me grace to amend my life, to the glory of 
Thy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

III. FOR SUPPORT IN AFFLICTION. 

Teach me, O Lord my God, so to number my 
days, that I may apply my heart unto wisdom ; and 
3*- 



36 

ever to remember my last end, that I may not dare to 
sin against Thee. Let Thy holy angels be ever 
present with me, to keep me in all my ways, from 
the violence and malice of all my enemies, from a 
sinful life, and from despair in the day of my death. 
Then, O blessed Jesus, shine gloriously upon me ; 
let Thy mercies and the light of Thy countenance 
sustain me in all my agonies, weaknesses, and temp- 
tations. Give me the opportunity of a prudent spir- 
itual guide, and of receiving the holy Sacrament; 
and let Thy loving spirit so guide me, that with the 
testimony of a good conscience, and the sense of Thy 
mercies, I may depart this life in the unity of Thy 
church, in the love of God, and a certain hope of sal- 
vation, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 

[Or this.] 

Into Thy hands, most blessed Jesus, I commend 
my soul and body, which Thou hast redeemed with 
Thy most precious blood. So bless and sanctify my 
sleep, that it may be sweet and refreshing to my 
wearied body, and an interval of repose to my sad 
and anxious mind. O let me never sleep in sin, or 
death eternal, but give me a watchful spirit, that, 
whether I sleep or wake, live or die, I may be Thy 
child and servant ; and grant that when the work of 
this life is ended, I may rest in the bosom of my 
Lord, till, by the voice of the archangel, the trump of 
God, I shall be awakened, and called to sit down at 



37 

the eternal supper of the Lamb. Grant this, for Thy 
mercies' sake, and for the glory of Thy name, O 
blessed Lord, who art our advocate with the Father, 
and who ever liveth to make intercession for us. 
Amen. 

THANKSGIVING. 

Blessed be the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
who hath sent His angels, and kept me in safety this 
day ; and hath given me His Spirit to restrain me 
from evil. I am not worthy, O Lord, of the least of 
Thy mercies, which Thou hast showed Thy servant, 
neither can I render Thee a due return for them ; but 
accept, I beseech Thee, my evening sacrifice of praise 
and thanksgiving. Praised be Thy holy name, for 
that never ceasing shower of blessings by which I 
live here in comfort, and for the hopes and promises 
of a better life to come. I bless and magnify Thee 
for all the known and for all the unobserved favors of 
Thy overflowing bounty, for all the deliverances of 
Thy watchful providence, for all the chastisements of 
Thy fatherly love, and for all the graces and visita- 
tions of Thy Holy Spirit, to myself, my family, and 
friends, beseeching Thee to pardon the imperfections 
in my gratitude and praise, for the sake of Thy Son, 
our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

II. SHORT EVENING PRAYERS FOR THOSE WHO ARE 

TOO WEAK TO USE THE LONGER SERVICE. 

O Lord, rebuke us not in Thine indignation, nei- 



38 

ther chasten us in Thy heavy displeasure ; but deal 
with us according to Thy mercy, Thou Physician 
and healer of our bodies and souls ; guide us into 
Thy will ; enlighten us with Thy truth : and give us 
the remainder of this day, and the residue of our life, 
peace and deliverance from sin, through the interces- 
sion of Thy blessed Son, our Advocate and Redeem- 
er Jesus Christ. Amen. 

ii. 

O great and most high God, who only hast im- 
mortality, and dwellest in light inaccessible ; who 
hast formed Thy creation in wisdom, dividing the 
light from the darkness, and hast now vouchsafed to 
us sinners, to come into Thy presence with thanks- 
giving, and to offer unto Thee our evening sacrifice 
of praise ; let our prayer ascend before Thee as in- 
cense, and give us safety and peace through the 
approaching night. Clothe us with the armour of 
light ; deliver us from every evil that walketh in 
darkness ; and grant thai our rest may be calm and 
undisturbed; that so, O Lord, we may remember 
Thy name in the night season ; and, being instruct- 
ed by the light of Thy commandments, may arise in 
joyfulness of spirit to celebrate Thy goodness, and 
to present our prayers and supplications to Thee for 
our own sins, and for the sins of all thy people, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



39 



III. PRAYERS AND EJACULATIONS FOR BED-TIME AND 

NIGHT. 

I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest ; 
for it is Thou, Lord, only, that makest me to dwell 
'n safety. (Psa. iv. 9.) 

Lighten mine eyes, that I sleep not in death* 
Defend me from the terrors of the night, and from 
the pestilence that walketh in darkness. (Ps. xiii. 3, 
xci. 5.) 

O Thou Keeper of Israel, that neither slumberest 
nor sleepest, preserve me this night from all evil ; 
yea, do Thou preserve my soul. (Ps. cxxi.) 

O most kind and merciful Lord, let this season 
of rest be an entire cessation to me, as well from 
*in as from labour and sorrow. And do Thou, O 
Lord, drive away all the suggestions of the Devil ; 
ind suffer not any thought to surprise my unguarded 
mind, which is capable of displeasing Thee, or defil- 
ing me. 

Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend myself, my 
spirit, soul, and body, for Thou hast created and 
redeemed them, O Lord God of truth; and together 
with me, take under Thy Fatherly care and protec- 
tion all that are near and dear to me, for Jesus 
Christ's sake Amen. 



40 



O Lord, grant us, now retiring to rest, repose 
both of body and soul, and protect us from all troubled 
and sinful dreams ; order our unruly affections ; 
quench the fiery darts of the wicked ; mortify the 
lusts of the flesh, and lay our worldly thoughts 
asleep. Give us, O Lord, quickness of understand- 
ing, purity of heart, soberness of mind, and tem- 
perate and refreshing rest, that we may arise at the 
hour of prayer, confirmed in faith, and fortified in 
obedience to Thy commands. And grant that, glo- 
rifying Thee in the night, we may sing of Thee, 
bless Thee, and praise Thy great and glorious name, 
who with the Son, and the Holy Ghost, ever livest 
and reignest, one God, world without end. Amen. 

ii. 
My soul is awake unto Thee, O God, in the night 
season, for Thy statutes are our light. O Lord, teach 
us Thy commandments. Enlighten the eyes of our 
understanding, that we sleep not in death. Chase 
away all darkness from our minds. Make the Sun 
of righteousness to shine upon us, and preserve us 
in innocence of life, by the seal of Thy Spirit. 
Guide our feet into the way of peace and grant us to 
behold the approach of light and the day, with joy, 
that we may offer unto Thee our morning hymns 
of praise. 



41 

For Thine, O blessed Trinity, is the kingdom andl 
the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 



in. 

I thank Thee, O God of my salvation, for all the 

blessings of this life [especially , here mention 

particulars]. In the remembrance of Thy mercies, 
may I ever look up to Thee with gratitude, and cele- 
brate Thy praise. Thou hast refreshed me with rest 
through the past night, and raised me up again to 
magnify and worship Thy glorious name. Grant 
me grace and strength, I beseech Thee, O Lord, that 
I may worthily sing to Thy glory, and incessantly 
pray unto Thee, and that, aided by Thy Spirit, I 
may work out my own salvation with fear and trem- 
bling. And remember those, O Lord, who call upon 
Thy name in the night season ; give ear unto them, 
and have mercy upon them, beating down all enemies 
under their feet, through our Saviour and Redeemer 
Jesus Christ. Amen. 



IV. 

Accept, O Lord, my supplications and prayers, 
and grant me faith that cannot be shaken, hope that 
cannot be removed, and love without dissimulation. 
Bless my going out and coming in ; my thoughts, 
words, and deeds, that I may begin the day in blessing 
the riches of Thy goodness, and end it in Thy praise 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



42 



[This may be said on behalf of the household,] 

V. Have mercy upon us, Thy servants, here as- 
sembled in Thy presence ; 

R. And guard and defend us from all evil this 
night. 

V. Keep us from the terror and danger of fire ; 

R. And from all assaults of wicked men, and 
wicked spirits. 

V. Into Thy hands we commend our souls ; 

R. O Lord, our Strength and our Redeemer. 

Let us pray. 

Accept, O gracious Father, this our evening sacri- 
fice of humble and hearty thanks for all the mercies 
and blessings of this day, and of our past lives. 
Thy daily care hath been of us, and our daily praises 
are due unto Thee, to whom we owe all that we are 
and all that we have. We desire now to lay down 
our wearied heads upon our beds, humbly beseech- 
ing Thee to watch over us this night, and to grant 
each of us such refreshment as we severally need. 
Keep us, therefore, gracious Lord, in safety under the 
shadow of thy wings, for unto Thy Almighty pro- 
tection we commit ourselves, earnestly beseeching 
Thee, that after due rest we may rise from our beds 
with thankful hearts, to glorify thee by our good 
works, through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with 
Thee and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory, 
world without end. Amen. 



43 

God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the God 
of the patriarchs and prophets, of apostles, martyrs, 
and confessors, and of all true believers, increase our 
faith, confirm our hope, and enlarge our charity ; and 
grant that we may faithfully serve Him here, by do- 
ing and suffering His will all the days of our short 
pilgrimage, and after death, be made partakers of im- 
mortal glory. 

Save us, good Lord, waking, and keep us, sleeping; 
that we may watch with Christ, and rest in peace. 
Amen. 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, &c. &c. 



IV.— A LITANY FOR THE SICK. 

[This may be read by a friend, and responded to by the sick person.] 

PART I. 

O God, the Father, Creator of the world ; 

Have mercy upon us (or me). 
O God, the Son, Redeemer of mankind ; 

Have mercy, &c. 
O God, the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier, Comforter, and 
Perfecter of the faithful; 
Have mercy, &c. 
Holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity ; 

Have mercy, &c. 
O Father of mercies, and God of all consolation, 
who dost comfort us in all our tribulations, and suf- 
ferest us not to be tempted above that we axe able to 



44 

bear, but with the temptation makest a way for us to 
escape ; 

Have mercy, &c. 

Who chastisest and scourgest those whom Thou 
lovest ; who judgest and correctest us with weakness 
and sickness, and death itself, that we may not be 
condemned with the world ; 
Have mercy, &c. 

Who didst breathe into man the breath of life ; 
and delightest not in the destruction of the living; 
Have mercy, &c. 

Thou who turnest man to destruction, and sayest, 
" Return, again, ye children of men ;" who woundest 
and healest ; who strikest and bindest up ; who kill- 
est and makest alive ; who bringest down to the 
grave and raisest up again ; 
Have mercy, &c. 

Thou wiio savedst Noah in the flood ; Lot from the 
burning of Sodom ; and who, slaying the first-born 
in Egypt, yet preservedst Thy people ; 
Have mercy, &c. 

Thou who, at the prayers of Thy prophets Elijah 
and Elisha, didst restore the dead to life ; and heal 
Naaman's leprosy ; who freedst Hezekiah from death, 
when he wept and cried unto Thee ; and restoredst 
Job out of his afflictions ; 
Have mercy, &c. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who 
■wast sent to heal the broken in heart; to preach 
liberty to the captives, and comfort to all that mourn ; 



45 

who tookest upon Thee our infirmities, and barest 
our sicknesses ; who wentest about doing good, and 
healing all that were sick and oppressed ; by whose 
power the blind received their sight, the lame walk- 
ed, the lepers were cleansed, and the dead raised ; 
Have mercy upon us and deliver us (or me). 

Thou, who restoredst the woman who had been 
bowed down eighteen years, who curedst the cen- 
turion's servant, and the daughter of the woman of 
Canaan, having respect to her faith ; 
Have mercy upon me, and heal me. 

Thou who, in Thine agony, didst sweat great 
drops of blood ; who, though praying that the cup 
might pass from Thee, didst still submit to Thy 
Father's will; and in dying didst commend Thy 
Spirit into His hands ; who, by Thy death, didst 
destroy him who had the power of death ; and who, 
by Thy resurrection, didst give us a lively hope of 
rising from the dead ; 

Have mercy upon me, and help me. 

Thou who, ascending into heaven, art the Lord of 
life, and who didst send Thy Holy Spirit to endue 
Thy Apostles with the power of working miracles, 
and healing the sick; 

Have mercy upon me, and deliver me. 

PART II. 

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the 
world, have mercy upon me. 
Deliver me, O Lord. 



46 

From the guilt and burden of my sins, and from 
all the deceits and assaults of the Devil ; 
Deliver, &c. 
From all impatience, and murmuring against Thy 
Providence ; from all weakness of mind ; from all 
distrust and despair of Thy mercy ; from the fear 
of death, and too anxious a desire of life ; 
Deliver, &c. 
From too great carefulness about things temporal, 
and neglect in preparing for those which are eternal, 
and from such grievous pain and agony as would 
draw my mind from Thee ; 
Deliver, &c. 
From Thy wrath and indignation ; from the terri- 
ble sentence of the great day ; from the gates of hell, 
and powers of darkness ; from the bitter pains of 
eternal death ; 
Deliver, &c. 
By the infinite mercies of God the Father; by the 
infinite merits of God the Son ; by the boundless 
grace and consolation of God the Holy Ghost; 
Deliver, &c. 
By the pains of death, O blessed Jesus, which en- 
compassed Thee in the garden ; by Thine agony 
and bloody sweat ; by Thine anguish on the Cross ; 
Deliver, &c. 

By Thy powerful resurrection, and glorious ascen- 
sion ; by Thy gracious and prevailing intercession ; 



47 

in the time of our necessities and straits; in the 
hour of death, and in the day of judgment; 
Deliver, &c. 

PART III. 

We sinners beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord ; 
And that Thou wouldest not enter into judgment 
with Thy servants, for in Thy sight can no man 
living be justified; that Thou wouldest not be ex- 
treme to mark what we have done amiss, but 
wouldest enlighten our eyes, that we sleep not in 
death ; 

We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord. 
That being delivered out of the hands of our ene- 
mies, we may serve Thee without fear in holiness 
and righteousness ail the days of our life ; 

We sinners beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord. 
That being made whole by Thy grace, from our 
disease, we sin no more, lest a worse thing come 
upon us ; 

We sinners beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord. 
That knowing the uncertainty of the lime of death, 
and the certainty of Thy judgment, we may set our 
house in order, and be ever ready for Thy coming; 
We sinners beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord. 
That, being reconciled to Thee, and all the world, 
we may, with a firm faith, and lively hope, reverently 
receive the holy Sacrament of Thy Body and Blood, 
and continue to the end in Thy grace and favour; 

We sinners beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord. 
4^ 



48 

That, when and howsoever it shall please Thee to 
dispose of us, either for life or death, we may cheer- 
fully submit ourselves to Thy most holy will, and 
that, as we have received good at Thy hand, so we 
may patiently receive evil ; 

We sinners beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord. 

That we neglect not Thy chastisements, nor faint 
when we are rebuked by Thee ; but, looking up to 
the Author and Finisher of our faith, who, for the joy 
that was set before Him, endured the Cross, despis- 
ing the shame, we may run, with patience, the race 
that is set before us ; 

"We sinners beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord. 

That, according to the multitude of the sorrows 
which we have in our hearts, Thy comforts may 
ref/esh our souls ; that, as the sufferings of Christ 
abound in us, so by Him, also, our consolations may 
abound ; 

We sinners beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord. 

That these momentary and light afflictions here, 
may work for us a far more exceeding and eternal 
weight of glory ; 

We sinners beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord. 

That, whether we live, we may live unto the Lord, 
or whether we die, we may die unto the Lord ; that 
Christ may be glorified in our bodies and in our 
souls; that neither life nor death, nor any other 
creature, may be able to separate us from Christ 
Jesus our Lord; 

We sinners beseech thee to hear us, O Lord. 



49 

That the earthly house of this tabernacle being dis- 
solved, we may have an house of God not made with 
hands, eternal in the heavens ; that, walking in the 
midst of the shadow of death, we may fear no evil, 
because Thou art with us ; 

"We sinners beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord. 

O Saviour of the world, who, by thy Cross and 
precious Blood hast redeemed us, save us, and help 
us, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord. 

Our Father, &c. 

Let us pray. 

O most merciful God, who, according to the mul- 
titude of Thy mercies, dost so put away the sins of 
those who truly repent, that Thou rememberest them 
no more ; open Thine eye of mercy upon this Thy 
servant, who now most earnestly desireth pardon and 
forgiveness. Renew in him, most loving Father, 
whatsoever hath been decayed by the fraud and 
malice of the devil, or by his own carnal will and 
frailness ; preserve and continue this sick member in 
the unity of the Church ; consider his contrition ; 
accept his tears, assuage his pain, as shall seem to 
Thee most expedient for him. And forasmuch as he 
putteth his full trust only in Thy mercy, impute not 
unto him his former sins, but strengthen him with 
Thy blessed Spirit ; and, when Thou art pleased to 
take him hence, take him unto Thy favour, through 
the merits of Thy most dearly beloved Son, Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



50 



BENEDICTORY PRAYER. 






Unto God's gracious mercy and protection we 
commit thee. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. 
The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be 
gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up the light of 
His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace 
both now and evermore. Amen. 

A PRAYER IN SICKNESS. 

O God, whose fiever-failing Providence ordereth 
all things both in heaven and in earth ; behold me 
Thy servant, upon whom Thou hast been pleased to 
lay Thine afflicting hand. Sanctify, I beseech Thee, 
this Thy Fatherly correction to me, and grant that 
I may receive it with all the patience and submission 
becoming Thy child ; neither murmuring nor repining 
under any dispensations of Thy Providence, but 
looking on all my afflictions as the means to wean 
me from the world, to bring me nearer to Thyself, 
and to purge away all that dross and defilement 
which my soul has contracted in this sinful world. 
O merciful Father, let not my sins provoke Thee to 
turn away Thy face from me, while I fly unto Thee 
in this time of my trouble ; but for the merits and 
intercession of Thy beloved Son, pardon all my sins, 
and say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. 

Give me strength, resolution, and patience, to bear 
all my pains, weaknesses, and infirmities ; strengthen 
my faith, confirm my hope, increase my charity, and 



51 

perfect my repentance that I may be delivered from 
the fear of death. Make Thou my bed in my sick- 
ness, and lay not more upon me than Thou wilt 
enable me to bear ; give a blessing to the means that 
shall be used for my recovery ; and if it be Thy good 
pleasure, restore me to my former health, that I may 
lead the rest of my life in Thy fear and to Thy glory. 
But if Thou hast determined that this sickness shall 
be unto death ; grant, O merciful Father, that the 
more the outward man decayethj so much the more 
the inner man may be strengthened and renewed by 
Thy Holy Spirit ; and give me grace so to take this 
Thy visitation, that, after this painful life is ended, 
I may dwell with thee in life everlasting, through the 
merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. 

ANOTHER. 

O heavenly Father, who in Thy wisdom know- 
est what is best for me, if it seem good in Thy sight, 
remove this distemper from me, so that I may employ 
my health to Thy glory, and all my days in praising 
Thy name. But if Thou art pleased that it should 
greatly increase, may I willingly submit to Thy afflict- 
ing hand; for whom Thoulovest Thou dost chasten, 
and scourgest every son whom Thou dost receive. 
I know that Thou sendest this sickness upon me for 
my good, even to humble and reform me ; O grant 
that it may work in me the effect which Thou dost 
graciously design. 



52 

Lord, create in me a true and hearty sorrow for all 
my sins past, a steadfast faith in Thy Son Jesus, and 
sincere resolutions of amendment for the time to 
come. 

Deliver me from all frowardness and impatience, 
and give me an entire resignation to Thy divine will : 
O suffer not the disease to distract my mind, and 
supply me continually with devout and holy thoughts. 
Lord, bless the means that are used for my recovery, 
and restore me to health ; but if Thou hast otherwise 
appointed, Thy will be done. O wean my affections 
from all things below, and fill me with ardent desires 
after heaven ; fit me for the hour of my departure, 
and in Thine own good time bring me to Thy pre- 
sence, where there is joy unspeakable and full of 
glory. Grant this, for the sake of Thine only Son, 
my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in whose holy 
words I sum up all my wants. 

Our Father, &c. 

ANOTHER. 

Almighty and most merciful Lord God, who, by 
the infirmities of th'islife, dost put us in mind of our 
mortality, and by these outward afflictions dost call 
us to inward repentance ; I cry unto Thee with my 
whole heart. Rebuke me not in Thine anger, nei- 
ther chasten me in Thy displeasure. Have mercy 
upon me, O Lord, for I am weak ; O Lord, heal me, 
for my bones are vexed. Thou art He, O Lord, that 






53 

woundest and healest again, that killest and revivest, 
that leadest to the gates of hell, and bringest back 
again. If this my sickness, O Lord, be not unto 
death, help, on this my bed of infirmity, and strength- 
en me. 

O merciful Lord God, who of thy great mercy 
dost forgive the offences of those who truly repent, 
mercifully look upon me, Thy poor servant, and 
hearken unto me who humbly crave of Thee remis- 
sion of my sins. Pity my sighs, my tears, and my 
groans, and vouchsafe to be reconciled to me. O 
Lord, it grieveth me that I have offended Thy Ma- 
jesty, and I humbly pray Thee, by the death, passion, 
and intercession of Thy dear Son, to pardon all my 
offences. Amen. 

A PRAYER IN EXTREME SICKNESS. 

O Lord God of our salvation, who for our sakes 
wast wounded, and didst die and lie in the grave, 
and by Thine own power didst rise again with victory 
and triumph; have mercy upon Thy servant, for 
Thine indignation lieth hard upon me, and Thou 
hast vexed me with all Thy storms. My soul is full 
of trouble by reason of my sins, and my life draw- 
eth nigh unto the grave : restore me unto Thy favour, 
and let me not go down into the dark ; but let me 
show forth Thy loving-kindness amongst Thy re- 
deemed ones in the land of the living. O hide not 
Thou Thy face from me, but give me health of body, 



54 

and restore and preserve me in the life of righteous- 
ness ; and so bless me with opportunities of doing 
Thee service, that I may redeem the time past, and 
by Thy grace grow rich in good works; that when 
Thou shalt demand my soul, it may not be abhorred 
of Thee, nor suffer Thy terrors, but may have an 
eternity of blessings in the resurrection of the just ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. iVmen. 

A PRAYER THAT THE AFFLICTION MAY BE 
PROFITABLE. 

O merciful Lord, who usest Thy rod in anger as 
well as in love, and designest our amendment in 
every correction ; look upon me with the compassion 
of a Father, teach me to call my ways to remem- 
brance, and find out the accursed thing that has 
brought this affliction upon me ; and make me so 
sensible of my manifold provocations, and so sin- 
cerely to lament, abhor, and forsake them, that this 
chastisement may be a proof of Thy love and com- 
passion to me. Grant that, by a serious and hearty 
repentance, a lively faith, and a just confidence in 
Thy mercy, I may be prepared, while it is day, for 
the night in which no man can work ; that if Thou 
shouldest see fit to spare me, I may be an example 
of one who has profited by Thy judgment; or else 
reap the benefits of Thy Fatherly correction in an 
entire submission to Thy will here, and being receiv- 
ed to Thy glory hereafter, through the merits of our 
Advocate and Redeemer Jesus Christ. Amen. 



55 



A PRAYER FOR SUPPORT IN TROUBLE, AND 
DELIVERANCE FROM IT. 

O Lord God, who art wonderful in Thy works 
and in Thy doings towards the children of men, and 
who scourgest every one whom Thou receivest, 
proving us and trying us as silver is tried ; let Thy 
merciful hands lead me through the fire of afflictions, 
so that I may not be consumed with the flames of 
Thy wrath, but that, being sustained by the comforts 
of Thy Spirit, and refreshed with the dew of Thy 
blessing, I may at last be brought unto Thy heavenly 
kingdom. O give me Thy grace, that m}' heart 
incline not to wickedness, nor my feet slip ; that so, 
regarding Thy laws, and having respect to Thy com- 
mandments, Thou mayest hear my prayers, and by 
the greatness of Thy power cast down all my ene- 
mies, and that I may never cease praising Thee, who 
hast never turned Thy mercy from me, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

A PRAYER FOR A DEAF PERSON. 

O Righteous Lord! mine ears have been too 
much inclined and delighted to hear things which 
dishonour Thee, and corrupt myself. And therefore 
Thou art just in stopping them, because I have mis- 
used them. But O remember mercy, and open them 
again, if it may seem good to Thee. Whilst Thou 
seest fit to continue this affliction, give me patience 
5 



56 

to bear it. O heavenly Father, Thy will be done. 
I receive my deafness submissively and thankfully, 
as being sent by Thee, and as daily keeping out 
much that would either corrupt, or trouble and afflict 
me ; and am content, whilst Thou pleasest, to be deaf 
to the voice of sinners, till Thou shalt either restore 
the sense of hearing to me again on earth, or take me 
hence to hear the heavenly hallelujah of angels and 
beatified spirits in Thy presence, for the sake of my 
blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 

A PRAYER FOR GOOD USE OF DEAFNESS. 

Whilst I remain deaf to the conversation of oth- 
ers, Blessed Father ! give me grace to converse more 
with Thee, and with myself, in calling Thy laws 
and my own ways to remembrance ; and grant that, 
having lived to hear much before, I may now set 
myself to meditate on what I have heard formerly, 
and still have recourse to past instructions, to guide 
and comfort me. And although the ears of my 
body are shut to others, yet, Lord ! let those of my 
spirit be always open to Thy voice : give me a 
watchful heart, that is never deaf to Thy call ; and 
if Thy Spirit do but whisper to me, let mine instantly 
perceive and obediently attend to Thy suggestion. 
And deliver me from having my portion among them 
who, having ears, do not hear, and who neglect and 
despise Thy holy word. 

And, O gracious God, preserve me from being 
jealous and mistrustful of those who are discoursing 



57 

in my company, as if they were discoursing against 
me, or sporting with mme infirmity. Let not my 
own evil surmises do either myself or them any hurt. 
But keep me always unsuspicious towards them, and 
truly penitent and thankful towards Thee ; through 
Jesus Christ, my blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen. 

A PRAYER FOR A PERSON SUFFERING PAIN. 

O God, our refuge and strength, who art a present 
help in time of trouble ; look graciously upon me, I 
most earnestly beseech Thee ; and (if it be Thy bless- 
ed will) send me ease and comfort in this time of 
my distress. Let me never murmur or repine under 
any affliction Thou seest fit to lay upon me. Give 
me a meek and quiet spirit, that I may wait with 
patience and submission, till Thou seest fit to deliver 
me. Suffer not the extremity of my pains to trans- 
port me into any rash or unbecoming expressions, or 
cause me to entertain hard thoughts of Thy provi- 
dence ; but, whatever evils or sorrows I may feel, let 
me still love and adore Thee, and believe Thee to 
be a kind and merciful Father, even whilst Thou art 
smiting and correcting me. 

And, O blessed Lord, that I maybe enabled so to 
do, strengthen me, I beseech Thee, with the consola- 
tions of Thy Holy Spirit, lay not more upon me than 
Thou wilt enable me to bear, and sanctify this afflic- 
tion to me, that it may produce in me the fruits of a 
true and sincere repentance. 



O Lord, hear me; Lord, help me, for Thy 
mercies' sake, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. 
Amen. 

EJACULATIONS WHEN SUFFERING. 

O Blessed Lord,-who scourgest every son whom 
Thou receivest, let me not be weary of Thy correc- 
tion. Give me such a perfect submission to Thee, 
the Father of Spirits, that this chastisement may be 
for my profit, and that I may thereby be made a par- 
taker of Thy Holiness. 

O Christ, who first sufferedst many and grievous 
things, and didst then enter into Thy glory, make me 
to suffer with Thee, that I may also be glorified with 
Thee. 

O Lord God most Holy, O Lord most Mighty, O 
Holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver me not, I 
beseech Thee, into the bitter pains of eternal death. 

O Holy Jesus, who art a merciful High-Priest, and 
touched with a sense of our infirmities ; Thou know- 
est the sharpness of my sickness, and the weakness 
of my heart. The clouds are gathered about me, 
and Thou hast covered me with Thy storm. Lord, 
let Thy mercy support me, let Thy Spirit guide me, 
that I may endure my sorrows in patience and 
silence, and with perfect resignation to Thy bless- 
ed will. Let me rejoice in the hope of Thy par- 
don, in the sense of Thy mercies, in the consolations 
of Thy Spirit, in the victory over all temptations, and 
in the expectation of Thy everlasting glory. Amen. 



59 



ANOTHER. 

O Holy Jesus, who didst die for us : by the grie- 
vous and intolerable pains, which Thou didst endure 
for us, have pity upon me, and ease my pains, or 
increase my patience. Lay no more on me than 
Thou wilt enable me to bear. I have deserved it 
all, and infinitely more. But Lord, I am weak and 
ignorant, timid and unstable. O let Thy strength be 
made perfect in my weakness, and enable me to 
rejoice in tribulation. Into Thy hands I commend 
my spirit ; for Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord thou 
God of truth. Come, Holy Spirit, help me in this 
conflict. Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen. 

ON WANT OF SLEEP. 

O righteous Lord, Thou holdest mine eyes wak- 
ing, and in the night season I take no rest. I seek 
sleep, to ease my pains, and to recruit my spirits ; 
but I find it not : but, O merciful God, let it not 
always fly from me ; let my wakeful eyes at length 
be closed, and make my sleep sweet unto me. Con- 
sider my weariness, which calls for rest; and my 
weakness, which needs refreshment. But while 
Thou keepest me awake, let me commune with my 
own heart, and search out my spirit ; let me remem- 
ber Thee on my bed, and meditate on Thee in the 
night-watches : let the consideration of Thy tender 
mercies be my comfort, till Thy goodness sees fit to 
give sleep to my eyes, and refreshment to my sorrows, 
through my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 
5* 



60 



A PRAYER FOR PATIENCE. 

O God, who hast told us, that in this world we 
shall have tribuktion, grant that I may endure my 
present affliction with patience, and cheerfully sub- 
mit to thy blessed will. And, forasmuch as I suf- 
fer no more than the common lot" of sinful men, 
strengthen me, O Lord, in my trials, that no pains or 
sufferings may ever drive me from Thee ; but rather 
work in me a holy indifference to the world, the mor- 
tification of my lusts, and a patient abiding of the 
cross ; so that I may finish my course with joy, and 
at last rest from my labours and sorrows, with all 
Thy saints in Thy heavenly kingdom. Grant this, 

most gracious Father, for the sake of Thy beloved 
Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

ANOTHER. 

O merciful Lord! who hast called me to the 
state of sickness which is a trial of patience, give me 
grace to exercise it in my sufferings and trials. May 
no resistance to Thy will spring up in my heart. May 
no rebellious murmurings rise up on my lips. May 

1 neither from a wavering faith or a failing hope sink 
under my burdens, nor be driven by the smart of my 
pains to mistrust Thy love, or doubt Thy promises 
May I be sensible of my comforts and support, as 
well as of my sickness and sorrows. May I own 
all my present sufferings to be far below my deserts, 
and all my past and present mercies to be infinitely 



61 

above, them. And make me perfect, my God! in 
this patience. Let me tarry Thy leisure, and not be 
hasty. Let me wait on Thee, and not grow weary, 
but bear all in comfortable hopes of Thy strength to 
support my present weakness and of Thy mercy to 
ease and deliver me at last, either by a more health- 
ful life, or by a happy death, through the mediation 
of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

A PRAYER FOR RESIGNATION. 

Grant, O God, that I may always accept of the 
punishment of my sins with resignation to Thy good 
pleasure. Remember mc, O Lord, in the day of my 
trouble; keep me from all excess of fear, concern, 
and sadness, and give me an humble and submissive 
spirit, that I may ever acquiesce in all the methods 
of Thy grace, and never frustrate the designs of Thy 
mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

A PRAYER WHEN THERE IS LITTLE HOPE OF 
RECOVERY. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, the hope of the livmg, and 
the resurrection from the dead, I resign myself either 
to life or to death, according to Thy good pleasure. 
Into Thy hands I commend my spirit ; for I know, 
O Lord, that nothing can perish in Thy keeping. 
Strengthen my soul with Thy grace against all 
temptations ; let Thy loving-kindness defend it as 
with a shield against all the assaults of Satan ; let 
the same mercy be my guard and defence which pro- 



Q2 

tected the martyrs, crowning them with victory in the 
midst of the most horrid torments, and the most cruel 
deaths. There is no help in me, O Lord, but my 
trust is in Thy mercies ; and I call to mind, to my 
unspeakable comfort, that Thou wert hungry and 
thirsty, wearied, scourged, crowned with thorns, 
mocked, and crucified for me. Oh, let that mercy, 
which made Thee suffer so much, pardon me and 
save me. Let Thy merits answer for my impieties 
— let Thy righteousness cover my sins, Thy blood 
wash away my guilt, and Thy comforts refresh my 
soul. 

As my body grows weaker, let Thy grace be 
stronger ; let not my faith waver, nor my hope fail, 
nor my charity grow cold, nor my soul be affrighted 
with the terrors of death ; but let the light of Thy 
countenance be shed upon me, that I sleep not in 
eternal death. And when my tongue fails, let Thy 
Spirit teach my heart to pray with strong cryings, 
and groans unutterable. let not Satan do me any 
violence, but may Thy holy mercies, and Thy minis- 
tering spirits, defeat his malice, that my soul may 
triumph for ever in the presence of Thee, O blessed 
Jesus, my life, my joy, my hope, and my exceeding 
great reward, who with the Father, and the Holy 
Ghost, ever livest and reignest One God world with- 
out end. Amen. 



63 



A PRAYER COMMENDING FAMILY AND FRIENDS INTO 
GOD'S HAND. 

To Thee, O God of mere} and truth, I commit all 
my relations and friends [particularly my, 8fC.\ To 
Thy protection I freely resign them. Thou art the 
Father of the fatherless, and pleadest the cause of the 
widow. O provide for and defend them ; leave them 
not, nor forsake them, O Lord God of my salvation. 
Be Thou to them more than I could, if I were still 
permitted to take care of them. Enable them ever- 
more to love and delight in Thee, and to put their 
whole trust and confidence in Thy mercy. Keep 
them from those pollutions of the world by which 
they would forfeit Thy favour. Train them up in 
Thy fear, preserve them from all the evils and 
temptations of this life, and bring them at last to the 
joys and blessedness of that which is to come, for 
the sake of Thy blessed Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



64 

Scriptures. 

1. IN THE PROSPECT OF DEATH. 

It is appointed unto men once to die, but after 
this the judgment. (Heb. ix. 27.) 

Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. 
(Gen. iii. 19.) 

For we are strangers before thee and sojourners, 
as were all our fathers : our days on the earth are as 
a shadow, and there is none abiding. (1 Chron. 
xxix. 15.) 

Here have we no continuing city, but we seek one 
to come. (Heb. xiii. 14.) 

Few and evil have the days of the years of my life 
oeen, and behold, I am going the way of all the 
earth. (Gen. xlvii. 9; and Joshua xxiii. 14.) 

And as I came forth of my mother's womb, so 
naked shall I return to go as I came, and shall take 
nothing of my labour away in my hand. (Eccles. 
v. 15.) 

I must work the works of Him that sent me, while 
it is day ; the night cometh when no man can work. 
(John ix. 4.) 

"Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor 
the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. 

Who then is that faithful and wise steward whom 
his Lord shall make ruler over his household, to give 
them their portion of meat in due season ? 



65 

Blessed is that servant whom his Lord when He 
cometh shall find so doing. 

Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him 
ruler over all that he hath. (Luke xii. 42 — 44.) 

2. ON READINESS FOR DEATH. 

O death ! how bitter is the remembrance of thee 
to a man that liveth at rest in his possessions, unto 
the man that hath nothing to vex him, and that hath 
prosperity in all things. 

Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, for they 
rest from their labours, and their works follow them. 
(Rev. xiv. 13.) 

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, 
and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor 
crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the 
former things are passed away. (Rev. xxi. 4.) 

3. AGAINST THE FEAR OF DEATH. 

The wicked is driven away in his wickedness, but 
the righteous hath hope in his death. (Pro v. xiv. 32.) 

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow 
of death, I will fear no evil ; for Thou art with me, 
Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me. (Ps. xxiii. 4.) 

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of 
flesh and blood, He also himself likewise took part 
of the same, that through death he might destroy 
him that had the power of death, that is, the devil, 
and deliver tfiem, who, through fear of death, were all 
their life-time subject to bondage. (Heb. ii. 14, 15,) 



66 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, which, according to his abundant mercy, hath 
begotten us again, unto a lively hope, by the resurrec- 
tion of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter, i. 3.) 

EJACULATIONS TO BE USED BY A DYING PERSON. 

Lord, wash my soul in Thy blood, that it may be 
presented without spot unto Thee, Let me die in 
Thy favour, rest in peace, arid rise again in glory. 

In Thee, alone, is my trust : O let me never be 
confounded. 

O Lord God most holy, O God most mighty, O 
holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver me not into 
the bitter pains of eternal death. 

By Thine agony and bloody sweat, by Thy cross 
and passion, deliver me, O Christ, both now, in the 
hour of my death, and in the day of judgment. 

Receive me into that place of rest where all tears 
shall be wiped from my eyes ; where there shall be 
no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain ; but 
where I shall for ever behold Thy face, and follow 
the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. 

O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three persons 
and one God, have mercy upon me, and receive my 
soul. 

Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly; I desire to be 
dissolved, and to be with Thee. Into Thy hands 1 
commend my spirit, for Thou hast redeemed me, O 
Lord, thou God of truth. 

(Proper Psalaas. xiii. xvi. xxiii. xxxviii. cii.) 



67 



II. PRAYERS TO BE SAID FOR THE SICK BY THE 

FRIENDS. 

A PRAYER FOR A SICK CHILD* 

O Father of mercies, and God of all comfort, our 
only hope in time of need, we fly unto Thee fof 
succour in behalf of this child, here lying under Thy 
hand, in great weakness of body. Look graciously 
upon it, O Lord ; relieve it, we beseech Thee, from 
its pains, and pity it in its extremity. 

Lord, assist me with the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, 
that I may resign this child to Thee (if Thou should- 
est be pleased to take it from me), with an humble 
and contented mind. But, if Thou shouldest see fit, 
raise it up again, to grow in years and stature, and 
in Thy knowledge and fear. Bat whether it live or 
die, let it be Thine ; and either preserve it to be Thy 
true and faithful servant here on earth, or take it to 
the blessedness of Thy children, in the kingdom of 
heaven, through the merits of our Lord and Saviour 
Jesus Christ. Amen. 

PRAYERS ADAPTED FROM ANCIENT OFFICES. 

O Thou, who art wonderful in Thy ways, and 
full of compassion to the children of men, our Phy- 
sician in sickness, our Helper in distress, our Deliv- 
erer in danger, who art mighty to save ; send down 
Thy heavenly blessing on this Thy servant, though 
altogether unworthy to receive it. But Thy property 
6 



68 

is always to have mercy. To Thee only it apper- 
tained to forgive sins. Spare him then, good Lord. 
Deliver him from guilt, that he may adore Thy com- 
passion, and glorify Thy power. Defend him from 
the danger of the enemy, encompass him with Thy 
protection, assist him with Thy grace, and conduct 
him in peace and safety to Thy everlasting king- 
dom, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 
Amen. 

[Or this,] 

O Almgihty Lord and heavenly King, who dost 
correct us, but not give us over unto death ; who dost 
support them that fall, and raise up those who are 
broken in heart, and order the bodily infirmities of 
men for their good ; who hast compassion upon us, 
and passest over our iniquities, and takest away our 
transgressions ; who art slow to anger, and ever 
ready to forgive ; hear our prayer, O gracious Lord, 
for this, Thy servant, who is grieved with sickness 
and troubled with his sins. Deal not with him 
according to his iniquities, but pardon his transgres- 
sions. Deliver him from Thy wrath, and everlasting 
damnation, and let his mouth be filled with Thy 
praise. And grant that, for ever hereafter, all the 
members of his body, and all the faculties of his 
mind, may be sanctified and governed by Thy 
heavenly, grace. Send down from above, O Lord, 
Thy healing virtue, relieve his distemper and assume 



69 

his pain. Raise him up from the bed of sickness 
and infirmity, and grant him health and salvation. 
For Thou art the hope of those that despond, the 
rest of those who labour and are heavy laden with 
iniquity, and to Thee, with the Son and the Holy 
Ghost, we offer up our adoration and praise. Amen. 

A PRAYER TO BE USED WHEN THE SICK PERSON IS IN 
A STATE OF STUPOR. 

O merciful God, let not this deep sleep which is 
fallen on Thy servant, prove the sleep of death. 
Make it an occasion of refreshment and strength, to 
relieve and revive him ; and awake him out of it in 
Thy due time to offer Thee thanksgiving and praise, 
and to labour still longer among us in doing Thee 
honour and service. But if Thou hast determined 
thereby to take him to Thyself, Lord, remember and 
accept of all his former prayers and repentance, his 
patience and faith; look not upon his sins but to 
pardon them; nor on his weaknesses, but to pity 
them ; and when he wakes in the next world, let him 
find himself surrounded with light and bliss, and 
crowned with eternal glory, through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



70 



III. PRAYERS TO BE tJSED AS THE HOUR OF DEATH 

APPROACHES. 

[If the sick person be able, he may use this Litany during any part of his 
sickness. When said by another person, he should repeat the responses.] 

A SOLEMN LITANY ON BEHALF OF THE DYING 

PART I. 

O God, the Father of heaven, have mercy upon 
the soul of this Thy servant, keep and defend him 
(or her). 

O God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have 
mercy upon him, save and deliver him, 

O God the Holy Ghost, proceeding from the 
Father and the Son, have mercy upon him, strength- 
en and comfort him. 

O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, have mercy 
upon him, have mercy upon him. 

Forgive, O blessed Lord, Thou lover of mankind, 
mercifully forgive the sins he hath committed, 
against Thee, by thought, word, or deed. 

From Thy wrath and heavy indignation ; from the 
guilt and burden of his sins ; and the dreadful sen- 
tence of the last judgment ; 
Good Lord, deliver him. 

From the sting and terror of conscience ; from the 
danger of impatience, distrust, and despair ; from the 
extremity of anguish or agony, that may any way 
withdraw his mind from Thee ; 
Good Lord, &c. 



71 

From the crafts and assaults of the devil, from the 
gates of hell, and the bitter pains of eternal death ; 
Good Lord, &c. 

By Thy manifold and great mercies; by the mani- 
fold and great merits of Jesus Christ ; by His agony 
and bloody sweat ; by His strong crying and tears ; 
by His bitter cross and passion ; by His glorious 
and mighty resurrection ; by His triumphant as- 
cension ; by His never ceasing and effectual interces- 
sion for us ; and by the graces and consolations of 
the Holy Ghost; 
Good Lord, &c. 

For the glory of Thy name ; Thy loving mercy ; 
and Thy truth's sake ; in this time of his utmost ex- 
tremity ; his last and greatest need ; 
Deliver him, O Lord. 

O let not the Devil prevail against him, but inter- 
pose Thy death and passion, Thy mediation and 
intercession, between Thy judgment and his soul, 
that in the terrors of that day he may lift up his head 
with joy, knowing that his redemption is at hand. 

O holy and most gracious Saviour Jesus, we 
humbly commend the soul of Thy servant into 
Thy most merciful hands ; accept, O Lord, Thine 
own creature ; forgive, we beseech Thee, whatsoever 
hath been committed by human frailty. Impute not 
to him the follies of his youth, nor the sins of his 
riper years ; but strengthen him in his agony, and 
give him patience or relief; let not his faith waver, 
nor his hope fail, nor his charity languish. Let Thy 
6* 



72 

blessed angels stand in ministry about Thy servant, 
and defend him from the violence and malice of his 
ghostly enemies, and drive far from hence all the 
spirits of darkness. Let him die in peace, and rest 
in hope, and his portion be with Abraham, Isaac, and 
Jacob ; with prophets and apostles, with martyrs and 
confessors, and all Thy holy saints, in the arms of 
Thy mercy, and the glories of Thy presence, for ever 
and ever. Amen. 

May om* Lord Jesus Christ of His mercy pardon 
and forgive thee all thy sins, deliver thee from all 
evils, past, present, and future, preserve thee in the 
faith and fear of His holy name to thy life's end, and 
bring thee to His everlasting kingdom, to live with 
Him for ever and ever. Amen. 

PART II. 

Preserve, O Lord, the soul of this Thy servant, 
as Thou didst Noah in the flood ; Lot from the fire 
of Sodom ; Job in all his adversities ; and the Is- 
raelites from the power of Pharaoh. 

Preserve him from the malice of Satan, as Thou 
didst David from all his enemies ; Daniel from the 
mouth of the lions ; the three children from the fiery 
flames; and as Thou hast delivered Thy blessed 
saints and servants from all their terrors and torments. 
So save and deliver his soul, and receive it to Thy 
mercy. 

We sinners do beseech Thee to hear us, good 
Lord. 



73 

That it may please Thee to remember him with 
the favour Thou bearest unto Thy people, and to 
visit him with Thy salvation. 

We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. 
That it may please Thee to deliver his soul from 
the power of the enemy, to be merciful to his infirmi- 
ties, and to forgive all his sins and misdeeds, which 
by the malice of the devil, or by his own frailty, he 
hath committed against Thee. 

We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. 
That it may please Thee not to lay to his charge, 
what in the lust of the eye, or the pride of life, he 
hath committed against Thee. 

We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. 
That it may please Thee not to lay to his charge, 
what in the haste of his temper, or in the fierceness 
of his wrath, he hath committed against Thee. 
We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. 
That it may please Thee not to lay to his charge, 
what in the vanity of his thoughts, or the unruliness 
of his tongue, he hath committed against Thee. 
We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. 
That it may please Thee to make him a partaker 
of all Thy mercies and promises in Christ Jesus ; to 
vouchsafe unto his soul the estate of happiness and 
joy, of glory and immortality, with all Thy saints in 
Thy heavenly kingdom. 

We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. 
That it may please Thee to give to this decaying 
Dody a glorious resurrection, that together with his 



74 

soul, it may receive a portion among the blessed 
children of the Father. Amen, 

O Lord God, Lamb of God, that takest away the 
sins of the world, 

Have mercy upon this Thy servant 
Thou that takest away the sins of the world, 

Grant him Thy peace. 
Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, 

Have mercy upon him. 
Lord, have mercy upon him. 

Christ, have mercy upon him. 
Lord, have mercy upon him. 
Our Father, which art, &c. 
Let us pray. 
The Almighty Lord, who is a most strong tower 
to all them that put their trust in Him, to whom all 
things in heaven, in earth, and under the earth, do 
bow and obey, be now and evermore thy defence, 
and make thee know and feel that there is no other 
name under heaven given to man, in whom, and 
through whom thou mayest receive health and salva 
tion, but only the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 

BENEDICTION. 

Unto God's gracious mercy and protection wt 
commit thee. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. 
The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be 
gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His counte- 
nance upon thee, and give thee peace, both now and 
evermore. Amen. 



75 



A. SOLEMN FORM OF COMMENDING THE SOUL INTO THE 
HANDS OF GOD, AT THE TIME OF ITS DEPARTURE. 

[ Use the prayer in the Visitation of the Sick, or this.] 

Into Thy merciful hands, O Lord, we commend 
the soul of this Thy servant, now departing from the 
body ; acknowledge, we meekly beseech Thee, this 
work of Thine own hands, this sheep of Thine own 
fold, this lamb of Thine own flock, this sinner of 
Thine own redeeming. Receive him into the blessed 
arms of Thine unspeakable mercy, into the sacred 
rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious estate 
of Thy chosen saints in heaven. 

God the Father, who hath created thee, God the 
Son, who hath redeemed thee, God the Holy Ghost, 
who hath sanctified thee, be now and evermore thy 
defence, assist thee in this thy last trial, and bring 
thee into the way of everlasting life. Amen. 

Christ, that redeemed thee with His precious blood, 
have mercy upon thee, and strengthen thee in this 
agony of death. Amen. 

Christ Jesus, that rose the third day from the dead, 
raise up thy body again in the resurrection of the 
just. Amen. 

Christ, that ascended into heaven, and now sitteth 
at the right hand of God, exalt thee to a place in the 
glory of His kingdom. Amen. 



76 

God the Father preserve and keep thee. God the 
Son help and strengthen thee. God the Holy Ghost 
assist and detend thee. God the Holy Trinity be 
ever with thee, that thy death may be precious in the 
sight of the Lord, with whom thou shalt live for ever- 
more. Amen. 

A BENEDICTION TO BE USED BY A CLERGYMAN. 

Jesus Christ absolve thee from all thy sins, and 
receive thee into his heavenly kingdom. Amen. 

Depart, O Christian soul, in the name of God the 
Father who created thee ; of God the Son who re- 
deemed Thee ; of God the Holy Ghost who sancti- 
fied thee: One living and immortal God, to whom 
be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

ANOTHER FORM. 

Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in 
peace. (Luke ii. 29.) 

Into Thy hands, O God, we commend his spirit ; 
for Thou hast redeemed it, O Lord, thou God of 
truth. (Psalm xxxi. 6.) 

O deliver him from the body of this death. (Rom. 
vii. 24.) 

Say unto his soul, I am thy salvation. (Psalm 
xxxv. 3.) 

Guide Thou him through the valley of the shadow 
of death. (Psalm xxiii. 4.) 



77 

And to-day, let him be with Thee in Paradise. 
(Luke xxiii. 43.) 

Lord Jesus, receive his spirit (Acts vii. 59), and 
open to him the gates of everlasting glory. ( Ps. xxiv. 7.) 

Send Thine angel to meet him, and carry him into 
Abraham's bosom. (Luke xvi. 22.) 

Place him in the habitation of light and peace, of 
joy and gladness. Receive him into tl e arms of Thy 
mercy, and give him an inheritance with Thy saints 
in light. (Col. i. 12.) 

There to reign with Thy elect angels, Thy blessed 
saints departed, Thy holy prophets, and glorious apos- 
tles, in all joy and felicity, for ever and ever. Amen. 

A PRAYER TO BE USED AFTER THE DEPARTURE OF 
• THE SOUL. 

O Almighty and everlasting God, seeing it hath 
pleased Thee to take this Thy servant out of the 
miseries of this sinful world, unto Thy heavenly 
kingdom; let Thy name, O Lord, be blessed both 
now and evermore. Make us, we beseech Thee, 
that yet remain, mindful of our mortality, that we 
may walk before Thee in righteousness and holiness 
all the days of our life ; that when the time of our 
departure shall come, we may rest in Thee, as our 
hope is this Thy servant doth ; and that with him, 
and all others departed in the true faith of Thy holy 
name, we may rejoice together in Thy everlasting 
and glorious kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



78 



O eternal God, my most gracious Lord, and 
merciful Father, Thou hast been my refuge and my 
hope, my rock and my sanctuary, my guardian and 
protector all my days. I have offended Thee, and 
Thou hast smitten and corrected me. O, give me 
patience under Thy afflicting hand, and a quiet and 
resigned spirit. Behold, Thy handmaid is but a 
worm before Thee ; and shall dust and ashes repine 
against God ? Thou art just and righteous in all 
Thy ways, and though Thou hast sorely afflicted 
me, yet, blessed be Thy holy name, that, in the 
depth of my afflictions I do not sorrow as those who 
are without hope, and that though I die I can still 
put my trust in Thee. But Thou knowest the 
weakness of my heart, even in the sincerity of my 
faith. O strengthen me then by Thy grace, and con- 
form me to the image of Thy Son, that, in the fel- 
lowship of His sufferings, I may imitate his patience, 
and that in the severest of my trials I may still glo- 
rify Thy name. 

By the means of Thy heavy hand I have obtained 
a new title, O Lord, to Thy especial providence and 
protection ; for Thou art the friend of the friendless, 
the Helper of the needy, the Father of the fatherless, 
and the Defender of the widows. O, my Lord, assist 
me by Thy grace in the performance of all my duties, 
and though I have hitherto failed in all my relations, 



79 

now let my sad state of widowhood be a state of 
repentance and amendment, of piety and devotion. 
Let me recollect my years in bitterness, and sorrow 
for my past transgressions ; let me have no affections 
for the things of this world ; but let my hope and my 
joy, my desire and conversation be in heaven. O 
preserve Thy servant in the state of widowhood, that 
I may never have any thought of change, till the 
day of my great change shall come. Give me 
grace to preserve the memory of my dear husband ; 
and wholly to employ my time, my means, and all 
my faculties and powers, [in bringing' up my children 
in the nurture and admonition of the Lord] in prayer 
and fasting, in alms and piety, in reading and medi- 
tation, in spiritual and sacramental communion, that 
when the work of my life is done, I may find par- 
don and favour at Thy hands, and a portion among 
Thy saints and servants in Thy heavenly kingdom. 
Preserve me from all evil, and lead me into all 
good ; change my sorrows into comforts, and my 
infirmity into spiritual strength ; take all iniquity 
from me, and let Thy servant never depart from 
Thee. I am Thine, O save me ; I am Thine, 
sanctify and bless me for ever ; that neither life nor 
death, health nor sickness, prosperity nor adversity, 
weakness within, nor cross accidents without, may 
ever separate me from the love of God which is in 
Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen, Amen. 
7 



80 

[Where there are Children this may be added.] 

O my God, preserve my children in the strictest 
love and duty to Thyself; O be Thou their Fa- 
ther and Protector, let Thy providence be their 
portion, Thy service their employment, Thy angeb 
their guards ; and so keep them by Thy preventing 
and restraining grace, that they may not by their own 
sins provoke Thee to wrath ; and let not the sins of 
their forefathers be visited upon them in Thy anger 
and displeasure. Grant that living in holy obedience 
to Thy commandments, they may be continually 
refreshed and strengthened by Thy mercy and grace, 
and after being useful to others, an honour to their 
family, and a comfort to their friends, they may 
finally receive Thy everlasting benediction in the 
kingdom of heaven, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



81 
Emotions for " tOomen £abonxin$ of Crjift " 

A PRAYER TO BE USED BEFORE CHILD-BIRTH. 

Almighty God, the Father of all mercy and com* 
fort, graciously behold me, Thine humble and un- 
worthy handmaid, that as by Thy good Providence I 
have conceived a child into which Thou hast breath- 
ed a spirit of life, so by Thy continual aid, I may be 
preserved with it from all perils, and, at the fulness 
of my time, may safely bring it forth into the world. 
And when it is born, vouchsafe also that it may be 
born again in baptism of water and of the Spirit, and 
brought up in Thy holy religion, till it be finally 
taken to Thine everlasting kingdom, where, with the 
Son and the Holy Ghost, Thou livest and reignest, 
ever one God, world without end. Amen. 

ANOTHER. 

O God, who art the Author of our being, the 
Fountain of life, and of all blessings, spiritual and 
temporal ; be pleased, in Thy great goodness, to per- 
fect and complete that which Thou hast now begun 
in me, and preserve me from all frights or evil acci- 
dents, which may endanger my own life or that of 
my child. Oh ! sanctify it, I beseech Thee, from the 
womb, and receive it for Thine own, lent to me for 
my comfort, but created and preserved by Thee for 
Thy service and glory. Bless it, O God, in mind as 
Arell as in body; endue it with an understanding 



82 

capable to know Thee, with a heart strongly bent to 
fear Thee, and with all those holy and good disposi- 
tions that may make it precious in Thy sight. 

O Lord, I humbly commit both it and myself to 
Thy mercy and goodness ; strengthen me, I beseech 
Thee, in all my uneasiness and pains, and endue me 
with patience and submission to Thy will. Give 
me an humble trust and dependence on Thy fatherly 
care and good providence, and make me, in Thy 
good time, the joyful mother of a hopeful child, 
which may live to be an instrument of Thy glory, and 
by serving Thee faithfully, and doing good in its 
generation, may finally be received into Thy ever- 
lasting kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord and 
Saviour. Amen. 

WHEN THE TIME OF TRAVAIL DRAWETH NIGH. 

O blessed Lord God, who for the offence of the 
first woman didst denounce an inevitable curse upon 
all her posterity, declaring that what was conceived 
in sin should be brought forth in sorrow, assuage, I 
beseech Thee, of Thy goodness, the sharpness of 
that decree, and grant that I may be delivered of the 
fruit of my body without extremity of pain or peril 
of death. May it safely be brought to the baptismal 
font, that being there regenerated and engrafted into 
the mystical body of Christ, it may be made partaker 
of His death and passion. And as Thou hast of 
Thy bounty given life to it and to me ; so grant to us 
both life spiritual and eternal, and so sanctify our 



83 

bodies and souls here, that hereafter we may live for 
ever among Thy blessed saints in the world to come 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

EJACULATIONS IN THE TIME OF TRAVAIL. 

Save, Lord, and hear me, O King of heaven, now 
that I call upon Thee, in this time of my trouble. 

Be not far from me, O Lord ; Thou art my 
succour, haste Thee, to help me. Look upon my 
adversity and misery, and forgive me all my sins : 
that I may show the voice of thanksgiving and tell 
of all Thy wondrous works. 

O hide not Thou Thy face from me ; nor cast 
Thy servant away in displeasure. Thou hast been 
my succour, leave me not, neither forsake me, O 
God of my salvation. 

Thou art my Helper and Redeemer, make no long 
tarrying, O my God, nor suffer me to sink under the 
burden of my pains. 

Oh ! be Thou my help in this danger and distress, 
for without Thee vain is the help of man. 

O Lord, let it be Thy pleasure to deliver me ; 
make haste, O Lord, to help me. 

a prayer to be used by the husband, or a 

FRIEND. 

O God, our refuge and strength, I fly unto Thee 
for succour, in behalf of Thy servant, now labouring 
under the pains and anguish of child-birth. Shorten 
her sorrows, increase her patience, and lay not upon 
her more than Thou wilt enable her to bear. 
7* 



84 

O blessed Jesus, who Thyself wast born of a 
woman, make haste to help her. Be with her in her 
agony ; enable her patiently to bear her pain, and in 
Thy good time send her ease and deliverance. Bless 
the endeavours of those who are to assist her ; pre- 
serve the infant which now struggles for its birth ; 
and (if it be Thy good pleasure) make her speedily 
a joyful mother of a hopeful child, that may live to 
be an instrument of Thy glory, and useful in its 
generation. Amen. 

O Saviour of the world, who by Thy cross and 
passion hast redeemed us, save her and help her, we 
humbly beseech Thee, O Lord. Amen. 

THANKSGIVING AFTER DELIVERY. 

O Almighty and most merciful Father, in whom 
I live, and move, and have my being ; by Thee I 
have been preserved ever since I was born, and to 
Thy infinite goodness I acknowledge it to be owing 
that I am now alive. I magnify and adore Thee, O 
Lord, for the many favours which Thou hast bestow- 
ed upon me all my life long ; and (more particularly), 
I present myself before Thee at this time, to bless 
and praise Thy holy name, for Thy late mercies 
vouchsafed unto me, in delivering me from the great 
pains and perils of child-birth. It was Thy power 
that preserved me, Thy goodness that delivered me, 
and Thy hand that supported me, when pain and 
sorrow laid hold upon me. Praised, therefore, be 
that infinite love, which moved Thee to deal so gra- 



So 

ciously with Thy servant, and to enable a creature so 
weak and frail, to go through the sorrow and anguish 
of travail. 

O Lord, give me such a sense of Thy great good- 
ness to me, that I may make it the great study and 
business of my life to serve and please Thee in all 
things ; that so my returns of duty and obedience 
may in some measure be answerable to those mani- 
fold mercies I have received at Thy hands. 

Mortify and subdue in me all sinful and corrupt 
affections, and whatever may tend to alienate my love 
from Thee, and grant that I may so pass through 
things temporal, as finally not to lose the things that 
are eternal, for the sake of Jesus Christ my Saviour 
and Redeemer. Amen. 

ANOTHER THANKSGIVING. 

Gracious God, by whose providence we are all 
fearfully and wonderfully made, who beholdest us 
when we are yet imperfect, and in whose book are 
all our members written ; I humbly beseech Thee 
to accept this my devout acknowledgment of Thy 
power, and to receive this my most hearty praise 
and thanksgiving, which I now offer up unto Thy 
Divine Majesty, for Thy blessed favour and goodness 
towards me, in vouchsafing to assist me during the. 
time of my travail. Behold, O Lord, what Thine 
own hands alone have fashioned ; and grant that this 
infant, which Thou hast made by Thy power, may 
be preserved by Thy goodness, and forthwith enjoy- 



86 

ing the benefits of Thy holy baptism, may be made 
a lively member of Thy church, arid be carefully 
brought up to serve Thee in all godliness and honesty, 
through the merits of Thy well- beloved Son, Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

A PRAYER BEFORE THE BAPTISM OF THE CHILD. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who wast carried as a child 
into the temple, by Thy mother, the blessed Virgin 
Mary, — look graciously upon our infant, whom we 
humbly design to offer unto Thee this day, and bless 
him with the blessings of an everlasting love. Make 
him who is Thy child by creation, Thine also by 
adoption into Thy covenant of grace. Admit him^ 
O Lord, by holy baptism, into the bosom of Thy 
church, into the arms of Thy mercy, into a right to 
the promises, and the communion of saints. Give 
him power to become a son of God, that, being buried 
with Thee in baptism, he may also rise with Thee to 
righteousness of life. Guard him against all the de- 
vices and temptations of the devil, and so till him 
with Thy Spirit, th'&the may have his understanding 
for ever brought into the obedience, his affections to 
the love, and all his faculties to the service of Thee, 
his Lord and Master Jesus Christ ; and after he hath 
served Thee in his generation, grant that he may re- 
ceive his part and portion in the glory of Thy king- 
dom, who, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, ever 
livest and reignest, one God, world without end. 
Amen. 



87 
& Jtenitential ©fftce. 

I.— A PRAYER BEFORE SELF-EXAMINATION. 

Hear the voice of my humble petition, O Lord, 
now that I cry unto Thee, and lift up mine hands to- 
wards Thy mercy-seat. Behold, Lord, lam about to 
search into my own heart : but, alas ! it is deceitful, 
and desperately wicked, who can know it ? Thou, 
therefore, who se archest the heart, and triest the reins, 
discover to me all the evils and deceits of my own, 
that I may confess, bewail, and forsake them, and 
obtain mercy. Lord, hear me ; Lord, help me, for 
the merits of Jesus Christ my Saviour. Amen. 

I am unworthy, O Lord, to take Thy holy name 
into my mouth, and am ashamed to lift up mine 
eyes to Thee ; for I have sinned against Heaven and 
before Thee, in that I have daily broken my vow and 
promise made unto Thee in baptism. I am unwor- 
thy to be called Thy son, having obeyed the sugges- 
tions and done the works of the devil ; 

Lord, be merciful unto me a miserable sinner. 

I have eagerly coveted and pursued the pomps 
and vanities of this wicked world ; and have sought 
its flattering pleasures, more than the unspeakable 
glories of the world to come. The pride of life hath 
ensnared me to seek the praise of men, rather than 
that of God ; and the lust of the eyes hath enticed 
me to prefer the service of Mammon, to the love and 
service of my Maker and Redeemer; 
God, be merciful to me a sinner. 



83 

I have more readily obeyed the sinful lusts of the 
flesh, than the godly motions of Thy Spirit. 

O Lord God, most gracious and reconcileable, 
have mercy upon me ; pity and pardon me, and do 
away my offences, through Jesus Christ. Amen. 

A PRAYER AFTER EXAMINATION. 

O Lord God, I have now, by Thy assistance, 
considered my own evil ways : O Thou, who only 
knowest the heart, and who only canst change it, 
create in me such a broken and contrite heart, as 
Thou hast promised not to despise ; and so deep a 
sense of my own sin and misery, that my repentance 
may bear some proportion to my guilt. O my God, 
pardon all my failings, and perfect that good work 
Thou hast begun in me, for the merits of Jesus 
Christ my Saviour. Amen. 



II.-— CONFESSION OF SINS. 

O Thou great Judge of heaven and earth, before 
whose glorious Majesty even the good angels, who 
never sinned, fall prostrate and tremble ; with what 
debasement and dread ought I to appear before Thy 
awful Presence, who am but dust and ashes, and a 
miserable, wretched sinner. Holy, holy, holy, Lord 
God Almighty, Thou art of purer eyes than to behold 
iniquity, and the way of the wicked is an abomina- 
tion to Thee. Wo is me, then, O Lord ! for I have 



89 

inclined unto wickedness with my whole heart ; but 
for the sake of Thy well-beloved Son, cast not out 
my prayer, nor turn Thy mercy from me. 

I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my 
mother conceive me ; I have gone astray from the 
Womb, and I have rendered myself still more abomi- 
nable and odious in Thy sight, by a continual course 
of wickedness all my days. 

Lord, have mercy upon me, cleanse and forgive 
me. O save me for Thy mercies' sake. 

My whole nature is prone to evil ; my understand- 
ing is full of ignorance and error ; my will perverse ; 
my memory tenacious of evil, and forgetful of my 
duty ; my passions are inordinate ; my senses the 
inlets of impurity ; and I feel a law in my members, 
warring against the law of my mind, and bringing 
me into captivity to the law of sin. 

Lord, have mercy upon me, and deliver me from 
the bondage of sin. 

Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in Thy 
sight, and am no more worthy to be called Thy son : 
I have violated the solemn vow I made to Thee in 
baptism, by eagerly pursuing the vanities of this 
wicked world; yielding to the temptations of the 
Devil; and indulging my own carnal desires and 
lusts ; by a dead faith, and disobedience to Thy holy 
will and commandments. 

I have sinned, O Lord God, I have sinned against 
Thee, by, &c. (Here msntion particulars) 



90 

I have committed these sins frequently against the 
checks of my conscience, &c. 

Lord, pity, cleanse, forgive, and save me, for 
Thy mercy's sake* 

1 have sinned, O Lord God, I have sinned against 
Thee and my neighbours, by, &e. 

I have sinned against Thee, and myself in violat- 
ing the precepts of Thy holy Gospel, &c. 
O Lord, pity, cleanse, &c. 

A PRAYER FOR PARDON. 

O merciful and gracious God, long-suffering, and 
of great goodness, incline Thine ear when I cry unto 
Thee, and hearken unto the voice of my prayer. 
Lord, be merciful to me a sinner ; for Thy name's 
sake, pardon mine iniquity, for it is great; even for 
that Name, beside which there is none other given 
among men whereby we must be saved. Forgive 
my guilt, blot out my presumptuous sins, and 
cleanse me from my secret faults. For Thy tender 
mercies, O Father, for the bleeding wounds of Thy 
Son, and for the unutterable groans of the Holy 
Ghost, O Lord, hear ; O Lord, forgive ; O Lord 
hearken and do. I recall my sins in the bitterness 
of my soul, and bewail them in anguish of spirit 
Spare me 9 good Lord, and pardon all that I have 
done amis?. Thou who hast created me, do not 
destroy me ; Thou who hast redeemed me, do not 
eoadeeia S3e. Let JJhy u&bucuaded k»vi^j-l>daees 



91 

look down upon my misery; let Thy universal pity 
look upon my guilt. Weak, I betake me to the 
Omnipotent : wounded, I fly to the Physician. Heal 
the maladies of my soul, comfort me on the bed of 
sickness, support me in the hour of death, and de- 
liver me in the day of Judgment. Grant this, for the 
sake of my Advocate and Redeemer Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 

V. Lord, let my prayer come before Thee. 

R. And hide not Thy face from me. 
Our Father, &c. 

PROPER PSALMS. (vi. XXXII. XXXVIII. LI.) 

lesson. (Job vii. 20.) 
I have sinned; what shall I do unto Thee, O 
Thou preserver of men ? Why hast Thou set me 
as a mark against Thee, so that I am a burden to 
myself ? 

response. 

Wo is me, wretched sinner, what shall I do ? I 
have committed evil in the sight of my God : I have 
offended His Majesty. Whither shall I fly from the 
justice of my Judge, whither, but unto the mercy of 
my Saviour ? My corrupt nature hath brought forth 
sin; and sin hath brought forth sorrow. Where 
shall I seek for pardon ? where shall I find relief, 
but in Thee, my God, my hope and portion in the 
land of the living ? Have mercy upon me, O Lord 
Christ, have mercy upon me, when Thou cornest in 
glory to judge the world* Amen. 
8 



92 



Proper psalms, (cii. cxxx. cxliii.) 

lesson. (Job xiv. xxv.) 

Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and 
full of trouble ; he cometh forth like a flower, and is 
cut down ; he fleeth also as a shadow, and continu- 
eth not. And dost Thou open Thine eyes upon 
such an one, and bringest me into judgment with 
Thee ; seeing his days are determined, the number 
of his months are with Thee : Thou hast appointed 
his bounds that he cannot pass. Turn from him 
that he may rest, till he shall accomplish as an hire- 
ling his day. O that Thou wouldest hide me in the 
grave, that Thou wouldest keep me secret until Thy 
wrath be past, that Thou wouldest appoint me a set 
time, and remember me ! For now Thou number- 
est my steps ; dost Thou not watch over my sin ? 
How then can man be justified with God ? or how 
can he be clean that is born of a woman ? For His 
eyes are upon the ways of man, and He seeth all 
his goings. There is no darkness or shadow of 
death, where the workers of iniquity may hide them- 
selves. Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have 
borne chastisement, I will not offend any more. 
That which I see not, teach Thou me; if I have 
done iniquity, I will do no more. 

RESPONSE. 

Where shall I hide me from the face of Thy 
wrath ? where shall I hide me when Thou comest 



93 

to judge the living and the dead ? I tremble at my 
own unworthiness ; I am afraid thus impure to ap- 
pear in Thy Presence. I know that my sins (if not 
repented of) will exclude me from Thy kingdom, 
where nothing unclean can enter. Wash me yet 
more, O Lord, from my iniquities, and purge me 
thoroughly from my sins. Amen. 
Lord have mercy upon me. 
Christ, Sfc. 
Lord, &c. 

V. O that mine eyes were a fountain of tears, that 
I might weep day and night for my many sins. 

R. And humbly confess my grievous offences. 

V t I have sinned against Thee, O God. 

R. I have broken the laws of my Maker. 

V. I have provoked the wrath of my Judge. 

R. What shall I do, O Thou Preserver of men ? 

V. Spare me, O Lord, for Thy mercy's sake. 

R. Spare me, whom Thou hast redeemed with 
Thy precious blood. 

V. Pardon, O Lord, my sins of infirmity and wil- 
fulness. 

R. Check my unruly passions, that I may turn to 
Thee with my whole heart ; 

V. In fasting, weeping, and mourning; 

R. That I may bring forth fruits meet for repent- 
ance. 

Let us pray. 

1. O Lord, we beseech Thee, mercifully hear our 
prayers, and spare all those who confess their sins 



94 

unto Thee ; that they whose consciences by sin are 
accused, by Thy merciful pardon may be absolved ; 
through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

2. O most mighty God, and merciful Father, 
who hast compassion upon all men, and hatest noth- 
ing- that Thou hast made; who wouldest not the 
death of a sinner, but rather that he should turn from 
his sin and be saved ; mercifully forgive us our tres- 
passes ; receive and comfort us who are grieved and 
wearied with the burden of our sins. Thy property 
is always to have mercy ; to Thee only it appertain- 
ed to forgive sins. Spare us, therefore, good Lord, 
spare Thy people, whom Thou hast redeemed ; enter 
not into judgment with Thy servants, who are vile 
earth, and miserable sinners ; but so turn Thine 
anger from us, who meekly acknowledge our vile- 
ness, and truly repent us of our faults, and so make 
haste to help us in this world, that we may ever live 
with Thee in the world to come; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

3. Turn thou us, O good Lord, and so shall we 
be turned. Be favourable, O Lord, be favourable to 
Thy people, who turn to Thee in weeping, fasting, 
and praying. For Thou art a merciful God, full of 
compassion, long-suffering, and of great pity. Thou 
sparest when we deserve punishment, and in Thy 
wrath thinkest upon mercy. Spare Thy people, 
good Lord, spare them, and let not Thine heritage 
be brought to confusion. Hear us, O Lord, for Thy 



95 

mercy is great, and after the multitude of Thy mer- 
cies look upon us ; through the merits and media- 
tion of Thy blessed Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

The Lord bless us, and keep us ; the Lord lift up 
the light of His countenance upon us, and give us 
peace, now and for evermore. Amen. 



III. PENITENTIAL LITANY. 

I am not worthy, O Lord, to look up to heaven, 
where thou art evermore in light and glory, for my 
sins are more in number than the hairs of my head, 
and my heart hath failed me. 

Lord be merciful to me a sinner. 

I have not lived according to Thy will, but in the 
vanity of my own thoughts, in blindness of heart 
and in contempt of Thy holy word and command- 
ments ; I have not loved Thee, my God, with all my 
heart, nor feared Thee with all my soul, nor served 
Thee with all my strength, nor loved my neighbour 
as myself. 

Lord, &c. 

I have been unthankful to Thy Divine Majesty, 
forgetting that Thou madest me, and preservest me ; 
to Thy Son, my blessed Saviour, forgetting the bit- 
ter pains He suffered for me ; and to the Holy Ghost, 
forgetting the help and comfort of his grace. 
Lord, &c. 
8* 



96 

I have been negligent in the performance of the 
duties of my charge, self-indulgent in my life, inde- 
vout in my prayers, slothful in the exercises of reli- 
gion, weary of their length, and displeased at their 
return. 

Lord, &c. 

I have been diligent in pleasing my" appetite, in 
meat, and drink, and pleasures, pampering the flesh, 
quenching the Spirit, making matter for sickness and 
sin. 

Lord, &c. 

I have been an improvident steward of Thy gifts ; 
I have loved them inordinately, sought them greedily 
(and unjustly), dispensed them idly, and parted with 
them unwillingly. I have not been so charitable to 
the poor, or so pitiful to the afflicted, or so compas- 
sionate to the sick, or so ready to supply the wants of 
my neighbours as I ought, and have set my affections 
on earthly, rather than heavenly things. 
Lord, (fee. 

My eyes, O Lord, have wandered after vanity, des- 
pising my neighbours, and prying into their faults, 
but have been blind to my own. 
Lord, &c. 

I have not kept the door of my lips, nor bridled my 
tongue ; but have spoken rashly of others, aggravat- 
ing their failings, or lessening their worth. 
Lord, &c. 

I have offended Thee by impure and unclean 



97 

thoughts, and have made myself guilty of the sins 
of others, by approving and encouraging their evil 
actions. 

Lord, &c. 
I have broken my vows and purposes of obedi- 
ence ; I have been inconstant to all good, revengeful 
of injuries, forgetful of benefits, seeking my own 
ends, and regardless of my duty to Thee and my 
neighbours. 

Lord, &c. 

PRAYER FOR PARDON. 

Son of David, blessed Redeemer, Lamb of God, 
that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy 
upon me ; O Jesus, be a Saviour unto me : Thou 
that sparedst Thy servant Peter that denied Thee 
thrice ; forgavest the woman taken in adultery ; and 
didst bear the penitent thief from the cross to the 
joys of Paradise, 

Have mercy upon me. 

I acknowledge, O Lord, that I am vile, but yet 
redeemed with Thy precious blood ; I am blind, but 
Thou art the Light of the world; I am weak, but 
Thou art my Rock, and my strength, once dead 
by nature in trespasses and sins, but now quicken- 
ed by Thee who art the Resurrection and the 
Life. 

Cast me not away then, in Thine anger, whom 
Thou earnest to seek and to save. 

Behold, I am in Thy hands ; grant that I may so 



98 

lament and bewail my sins, that in the hour of my 
death I may find mercy, and in the day of judgment 
be freed from the terrors of Thy wrath, and that be- 
holding thy face in serenity and joy, I may be set at 
Thy right hand with all thy saints and angels to sing 
an eternal hallelujah to the honour of Thy name. 
Amen. Amen. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Eternal God, 
grant unto all faithful people pardon and peace, — 
to the Church unity and concord, — to sinners repent- 
ance unto life, — perseverance to Thy saints, — and to 
all Thy creatures glory, honour, and eternal life, 
through Thine own prevailing and all-sufficient 
merits, who livest and reignest with the Father, and 
the Holy Ghost, One God, world without end. 
Amen. 



99 



(Dffke preparatory to trje floig Commtmion. 

A LITANY FOR REPENTANCE, PARDON, AND GRACE. 

O God the Father, who wouldest not the death 
of a sinner, but rather that he should repent and live, 
grant me a due sense of all my sins, and then forgive 
and pity me. 

O Thou, that wouldest have all men come to the 
knowledge of the truth, and be saved, cast me not 
away from Thee, but reclaim mer from my errors. 

O Thou, who didst so love the world, that Thou 
gavest Thy only-begotten Son, that whosoever be 
lieveth on Him should not perish, but have everlasi 
ing life, 

Have mercy upon me, a miserable sinner. 

O Thou, that despis st not a broken and contrite 
heart, and whose will and power nothing can resist 
create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit 
within me. Say unto my soul, I will, be thou clean ; 
and it shall be unto Thy servant according to Thy 
word. 

O blessed Jesus, who didst die that repentance and 
remission of sins should be preached to all the world 
in Thy name ; make my repentance such as Thou 
wilt accept, and let Thy merits render it effectual to 
the forgiveness of my sins. 

O Thou, who didst taste death for every man, and 
lay down Thy life for those who were dead in Adam, 
quicken me by Thy grace, and have mercy upon me. 



100 

O Thou, who hast bidden such as are weary and 
heavy laden to come unto Thee, and promised that 
they should find rest for their souls ; look down upon 
me in the bitterness and anguish of my spirit, and 
have mercy upon me. 

O holy and ever-blessed Spirit, whose mercy and 
favour can soften and sanctify the hardest- heart, 
whose holy aids are sufficient to help our infirmities, 
and whose fruits are repentance, and peace, and joy; 
direct and assist me in my doubts and temptations, 
and keep me in Thy paths. 

O Thou, who leadest the ignorant to the truth, 
sinners to repentance and righteousness, and art the 
Comforter of those who mourn ; open my eyes to 
see the error of my ways, and my heart to hate and 
forsake them, and let Thy grace and comfort guide 
me in all my difficulties, and support me in all my 
trials. 

O Thou, who knowest the dangers that encom- 
pass, and the temptations that beset and most easily 
prevail against me ; be Thou my guide and my 
guard, and never leave me nor forsake me ; but from 
the treachery of my own heart, the wiles of the devil, 
and from melancholy and despair, 
Good Lord, deliver me. 

O gracious God, give me not up b to myself, nor 
withdraw Thy presence from me ; but assist and ac- 
cept my prayers and my repentance, hear Thy Son 
who maketh intercession for me, let His blood atone 



101 

for my sins, and by His strides let my soul be healed. 
Thou knowest the deceitfulness of my heart, the 
weakness of my best resolutions, and the force of 
temptation, in the unstableness of my faith, and the 
corruption of my nature. O, stablish and strengthen 
me with Thy free Spirit, and so change and conse- 
crate my affections, that they may never more mis- 
guide and betray me. Hear my prayers, forgive my 
sins, accept my sorrows, strengthen my resolutions, 
and grant me repentance to life eternal, for the sake 
of my Advocate and Redeemer Jesus Christ. Amen. 

T thank Thee, O heavenly Father, for the gracious 
opportunity of renewing my baptismal vows, which 
I have hitherto so imperfectly observed, in the Sup- 
per of the Lord ; and by Thy help, will keep them 
inviolate all the days of my life. 

O my God, I dedicate to Thee this day, my facul- 
ties and powers, my affections and passions, my 
thoughts and designs, all that I am and all that I 
have, entirely to Thy service. Lord, sanctify me 
wholly, in spirit, soul, and body, that I may become 
a temple fit for Thy presence, and that Thou mayest 
dwell in me, and be my God. O perfect Thy sU-ength 
in my weakness ; let Thy Holy Spirit purify my 
corrupt nature, succour me in all temptations and 
assist me in all my duties. Give me that victorious 
faith which overcometh the world ; and let Thy grace 
always preserve me. To Thy keeping I commit my 
soul ; O cover Thou me in the day of battle against 



102 

my spiritual enemies, and so conform my whole life 
to the example of my blessed Saviour, that at the 
dreadful day of judgment I may find mercy through 
His merits, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and 
the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed for ever. Amen. 

ACTS OF FAITH IN CHRIST WITH A THANKFUL 
REMEMBRANCE OF HIS DEATH. 

I steadfastly believe in Thee, O Lamb of God 
who takest away the sins of the world ; in Thy all- 
sufficient merits alone I trust for the remission of my 
sins ; through the blood of Thy cross I hope for peace 
with God, strength against the powers of darkness, 
grace to help in time of need, the communion of 
Thy Spirit here, and everlasting bliss hereafter. In 
Thine infinite mercy is my hope ; in Thy name is 
my help ; and I will not fear what the devil or man 
worketh against me. Amen. 

O my crucified Saviour, I commemorate and adore 
the triumphs of Thy almighty love, in taking on Thee 
for our salvation the form of a servant, and in endur- 
ing for our sakes, the scoffs, the reproaches, and con- 
tradiction of sinners. By Thy stripes we are healed ; 
by Thy death we are reconciled unto God ; and Thy 
crown of thorns -hath purchased for us a crown of 
glory. O the depths of the riches of Thy wisdom 
and goodness! How unutterable is Thy mercy, 
how unsearchable Thy love ! 



103 



AN ACT OF LOVE. 



O gracious Lord, my heart is full of the sense 
of Thy love, in laying down Thy life for our sakes ; 
and what have I to return to Thee, but love ? It is 
all that I have to offer Thee ; accept it, Lord, imper- 
fect as it is, and daily heighten the sense of Thy love 
to me. And, O translate me to Thy kingdom of 
glory, in Thy own good time, that there I may love 
Thee to the utmost capacity of the spirits of just 
men made perfect, and praise Thee to all eternity. 
Amen, Lord Jesus, Amen. 

O holy Jesus, I beseech Thee by that most pre- 
cious blood, which Thou wert content to shed upon 
the cross for our salvation, grant me, at all times, the 
grace of a truly devout and contrite heart ; but, more 
especially, when I prostrate myself before Thy altar, 
and receive that heavenly sacrament, which Thou 
hast instituted as a pledge of Thy love, and for a 
continual remembrance of Thy death, to our great 
and endless comfort. 

"While I attend upon these holy mysteries, let my 
heart be moved, and my faith confirmed with the 
communications of Thy love and the joys of Thy 
presence. 

Thou art the sum and end of all my desires. 
O do Thou take possession of my whole heart, pre- 
side over every faculty, direct my understanding, 
exalt my affections, and quench the thirst of my 
9 



104 

longing soul with those rivers of pleasure which 
flow at Thy right hand for evermore. Let every 
fleshly and turbulent desire be awed into silence ; 
and all vain and worldly imaginations flee from 
before Thee. Let the soul itself stand mute, and be 
engaged in the contemplation of Thee alone. Thou, 
O God, art my hope and my trust ; and though the 
vileness of my own condition, and the faults and 
frailties of my life, might shut me out from any 
hope that so great and holy a being should admit so 
polluted a wretch into communion with Him ; yet, 
as the Word hath condescended to dwell in our 
flesh, and unite His divine to our human nature, I 
look up with confidence to that powerful Intercessor 
at Thy right hand, and humbly trust that I shall one 
day be exalted to the same blessed place, where flesh 
and blood already sit triumphant. To whom be 
honour and praise, adoration and thanksgiving, for 
ever and ever. Amen. 

ASPIRATIONS AFTER FAITH, HOPE, AND CHARITY. 

O God the Father, have mercy upon me, and 
grant me a lively faith, I beseech Thee, through the 
merits of my Saviour. 

O God the Son, have mercy upon me, and confirm 
my hope, I beseech Thee, through Thy most pre- 
cious death. 

O God the Holy Ghost, have mercy upon me, and 
fill my soul with that ardent charity without which, 
whosoever liveth is counted dead before Thee. 



105 



A PRAYER. 

Behold, I stand before Thee, poor and naked 
imploring help, and crying for mercy. Refresh, O 
Lord, Thy servant, with the comforts of Thy grace, 
inflame my coldness with the fire of Thy love, en- 
lighten my blindness with the brightness of Thy 
Presence. Conform me unto the image of Thy Son, 
and bring me into the closest communion with Thy 
Spirit, that, being united to Thee on earth, I may 
reign with Thee in heaven, through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

A LITANY FOR THOSE ABOUT TO RECEIVE THE 
HOLY COMMUNION. 

O God the Father, who gavest Thy Son to die, 
that we might not perish, but have everlasting life, 
have mercy upon us, and fit us for the devout cele- 
bration and thankful remembrance of his precious 
death. 

O God the Son, who didst lay down Thy life for 
sinners, have mercy upon us and make us meet for 
Thy mystical presence here, and to sit down and 
sup with Thee in Thy heavenly kingdom. 

O God the Holy Ghost, whose fruits are peace, 
holiness, and love, have mercy upon us, and sanctify 
and bless us, in body and soul. 

O blessed Jesus, the Living Bread, who descend- 
edst from heaven to give life unto the world ; who 
bestowest Thyself upon us, at Thy death for our 



106 

ransom, at Thy table for our spiritual food, and 
finally, in Thy kingdom for our everlasting reward ; 
Have mercy upon us. 

O Thou, who before Thy departure from the 
world, left us in the Eucharist a lasting memorial of 
Thy love, whose flesh and blood whosoever eateth 
and drinketh hath eternal life, who thus dwelleth in 
Thee, and Thou in Him, and who shall be raised at 
the last day; 

Have mercy, &c. 

O Thou Paschal Lamb, eaten by faith in remem- 
brance of our deliverance from the bondage of Satan ; 
Heavenly Manna refreshing us in the wilderness of 
this world whilst travelling towards the heavenly 
Canaan; 

Have mercy, &c. 

From the sad effects of our fallen nature ; from 
secret faults and presumptuous sins, and the punish- 
ment they deserve ; 

Good Lord, deliver us. 

From the breach of our baptismal engagements 
and all our promises and vows ; from the deceits of 
our own heart, the power of our lusts, and the preva- 
lence of temptation ; 

Good Lord, deliver us. 

From receiving this holy sacrament unworthily, 
and to our condemnation ; from all neglect incoming 
to Thy holy table, and from all profaneness and irre- 
verence whilst waiting upon Thee ; 
Good Lord, &c. 



107 

Give us, O God, such a due sense ol the infinite 
»ove and sufferings of Thy Son, and of the merits of 
His death and passion, that we may, with all thank- 
fulness, commemorate the same in this blessed 
sacrament of His body and blood, and that our faith 
may be strengthened, our hope confirmed, and our 
jharity enlarged ; 

We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. 
That through n*ue repentance and a lively faith, 
we may be brought to a more devout participation 
thereof, so that as the hart panteth after the water- 
brooks, our souls may thirst after Thee ; 

'We beseech Thee to hear us, good .Lord. 
That we may offer up ourselves a living, holy, 
acceptable sacrifice to Thee our God, and continue 
in Thy faith and fear unto our lives' end, and at 
length behold Thee, O Saviour, with open face, in 
everlasting glory ; 

We beseech Thee, &c. 

O God, the Father Almighty, have mercy 

upon us. 
O Lamb of God, Son of the Father, have 
mercy upon us and save us. 

A PRAYER FOR THE BENEFITS OF CHRIST'S PASSION. 

O blessed Jesus, let all my sins be done away 

through Thy sufferings. Let my distempers be 

healed by Thy stripes. Let my punishment be 

cancelled by Thy cross. Let Thy pains deliver me 

9* 



108 

from the pains of hell ; and Thy labours procure my 
rest with the saints in heaven. Let thy captivity be 
my redemption, Thy humiliation my exaltation, Thy 
cross my crown, and Thy death, life for evermore. 
And grant, O Lord, that with a pure and contrite 
heart and sanctified lips, I may come boldly before 
Thy throne, and conclude my petitions in Thy own 
most comprehensive prayer, saying, 
Our Father, &c. Amen. 



II. A PRAYER FOR ALL WHO ARE ABOUT TO COM- 
MUNICATE. 

O God, who hast so loved us, and given us the 
adoption of sons^ as that we should be called the 
sons of God, and heirs, joint-heirs with Christ ; in- 
cline Thine ear, O Lord, and hear us, and purify us, 
even as Thine only-begotten Son is pure. Let for- 
nication, and all unclean thoughts, be far from us, in 
the name of Him, who was born of a virgin. Let 
pride and high-mind edness be driven away by Him 
who humbled Himself for our sakes, even unto the 
death of the cross. Let cowardice be put to shame 
by Him who suffered in the flesh, and meekly 
triumphed over all the taunts and revilings of his 
enemies. Let vain-glory be mortified by Him who 
was beaten and scourged, and turned not away His 
face from them who despitefully spit upon him. Let 
the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the 



109 

world, take from us all envy, hatred, and strife. Let 
anger and wrath be removed from us by Him who, 
at his crucifixion, blotted out the hand-writing that 
was against us, and reconciled us unto God. Take 
from us all earthly thoughts through Him who has 
promised to draw us unto Himself, that being pure 
and heavenly, in our frame of mind, we may 
worthily receive this holy sacrament, and being thor- 
oughly sanctified here in body, soul, and spirit, we 
may hereafter praise and glorify Thee eternally, in 
Thy heavenly kingdom, through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



DEVOTIONS AT THE TIME OF COMMUNICATING. 
[Let the following be repeated while the priest is preparing.] 

Let all corruptible flesh be silent, and stand with 
fear and trembling, and think within itself nothing 
that is earthly, nothing that is unholy. The King of 
kings and Lord of lords, comes down from heaven 
unto us, and gives Himself to be meat for the souls 
of all faithful people. The glorious company of 
angels behold with wonder, O God, the love and 
condescension of Thine adorable, true, and only 
Son. Thrones and dominions, the cherubims with 
many eyes, and the seraphims with many wings, 
cover their faces before the majesty of His glory, 
and sing perpetually, Hallelujah, Hallelujah. Glory 
be to God on high ; and on earth peace ; good-will 
towards men. 



110 



[At the Consecration, say :] 

O blessed Jesus, in the bread broken I behold, 
with the eye of faith, Thy Body torn with whips, and 
thorns, and nails ; and in the wine poured out, Thy 
precious Blood shed for my sins. Glory be to Thee, 
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the 
world. 

[ Whilst others are communicating.] 

By Thy crucified body, O Christ, deliver us from 
this body of sin and death ; and by Thy life-giving 
blood purge our consciences from dead works, to 
serve Thee, the living God. 

Grant, O Lord my God, that we may (all) so re- 
ceive the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
as to obtain the remission of our sins, and to be re- 
plenished with Thy Holy Spirit, who livest and 
reignest, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, One God, 
blessed for ever. Amen. 

[When the Priest approaches.] 

This is Thy Body, O blessed Saviour, and this is 
Thy blood. Thine was the smart, but ours the ease ; 
Thine were the sufferings, but ours the mercy; 
Thine the stripes, but ours the balm ; Thine the 
thorns, but ours the crown. O complete Thy mercy 
to us. Come, Holy Jesus, come and take posses- 
sion of our souls ; purify them with Thy precious 
Body and Blood ; cleanse them from all fil thin ess of 
flesh and spirit; that being fitted for Thy habitation, 
it may please Thee to abide with us for ever. 



ill 

[After receiving the consecrated bread.] 

May this bread so strengthen and refresh me, as 
to enable me to overcome all the assaults of the 
Devil, the world, and the flesh, and to continue Thy 
faithful soldier and servant unto my life's end. 

[After the cup.] 

May this precious Blood be both the purification 
and nourishment of my soul, the seal of my pardon 
and peace with God, and the pledge of my inherit- 
ance in heaven. 

[After both.] 

Grant, Holy Jesus, that as I have now received 
in faith Thy precious Body and Blood, veiled under 
the species of bread and wine, I may hereafter be- 
hold Thy blessed face unveiled in heaven, and sit 
down with Thy holy angels and saints in the man- 
sions of bliss ; where there is fulness of joy and plea- 
sure for evermore. 

THANKSGIVING. 

What thanks, gracious Lord, can I render Thee, 
for these wonders of Thy love to me, a wretched sin- 
ner ? O blessed Saviour, inflame my devotion that 
I may fervently praise Thee : enlarge my soul that I 
may worthily love Thee. 

Rejoice in the Lord, O my soul ; for of Him 
cometh my salvation. Glory be to Thee, for the 



112 

blessed opportunity of receiving this holy Sacrament ; 
O grant that I may never more pollute the temple 
which Thou the God of purity hast consecrated by 
Thy presence. Pardon O gracious Lord, all my 
failings, accept my praises and prayers, and supply 
all my wants, which I now sum up in Thy own 
most blessed words' — • 
Our Father, &c. 

AN ACT OF PRAISE TO BE SAID BY ALL PRESENT 

Glory be to the Father of mercies ; the Father of 
men and angels ; the Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ. Glory be to the most holy and eternal Son 
of God ; the blessed Saviour and Redeemer of the 
world; the Advocate of sinners ; the Prince of peace; 
the Head of the Church ; and the Deliverer of all that 
call upon Thee. 

Glory be to Thee, the holy and eternal Spirit of 
God, that searchest all things, the Lord and Giver of 
life, the Comforter and Sanctiner of the faithful. 

All glory and honour, all love and obedience, be 
to the blessed and undivided Trinity : for ever and 
ever. Amen. 

It is meet and righl, to praise and to glorify, to 
worship and adore, to bless and to magnify Thee, 
the Maker of all creatures, visible and invisible ; the 
treasure of all good, temporal and eternal ; the foun- 
tain of all life, mortal and immortal ; the Lord of all 
things in heaven and earth. The heavens, and the 



113 

heaven of heavens, and every power therein; the 
earth and the sea, the heights above and the depths 
below ; Jerusalem that is from above, the church of 
the first-born written in heaven, the spirits of the 
prophets and of just men made perfect, the souls of 
Apostles and all holy martyrs, angels and archangels, 
thrones and dominions, principalities and powers, the 
spirits of understanding, and the spirits of love, with 
never ceasing hymns, and perpetual anthems, cry 
out, and say,— Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth, 
heaven and earth are full of Thy glory, hosanna in the 
highest ; blessed is He that cometh in the name of 
the Lord, hosanna in the highest ! 

The heavens declare Thy glory ; the earth confess- 
es Thy providence; the sea manifests Thy power; 
and every creature celebrates Thy greatness for ever 
and ever. Amen. 



PRAYERS 



SICK AND AFFLICTED 



WILLIAM BERRIAN, D.D., 

Rector of Trinity Chwcb, New York. 



praters for tlje Sick anb &fflktea. 



Hear my crying, O God ; give ear unto my prayer. 

From the ends of the earth will I call upon Thee, 
when my heart is in heaviness. 

The Lord will be a defence for the oppressed, 
even a refuge in due time of trouble. 

And they that know Thy name will put their trust 
in Thee : for Thou, Lord, hast never failed them 
that seek Thee. 

I know, O Lord, that Thy judgments are right, and 
that Thou of very faithfulness hast caused me to be 
troubled. 

Comfort the soul of thy servant ; for unto Thee, 
O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 

For Thou, Lord, art good and gracious, and of 
great mercy unto all them that call upon Thee. 

Give ear, Lord, unto my prayer, and ponder the 
voice of my humble desires. 

Remember me, O Lord, according to the favour 
that Thou bearest unto Thy people ; O visit me with 
Thy salvation : 



That I may see the felicity of Thy chosen, and 
rejoice in the gladness of Thy people, and give thanks 
with Thine inheritance. 

The Lord delivereth the souls of His servants : and 
all they that put their trust in Him shall not be des- 
titute. 

A GENERAL PRAYER FOR THE SICK. 

O Almighty God and merciful Father, whose 
never-failing providence ordereth all things both in 
heaven and earth ; we humble ourselves before Thee 
with the deepest reverence, acknowledging that even 
in Thy severest dispensations Thou hast kind inten- 
tions and gracious designs towards us. Visit and 
behold this Thy servant, upon whom Thou hast laid 
Thine afflicting hand. Sanctify, we beseech Thee, 
Thy fatherly correction to him, and grant that he may 
receive it with meekness, and bear it with patience. 
Suffer him not, O Lord, to murmur and repine, either 
at the length or severity of his trials, but let all Thy 
visitations be so blessed to him by the aid and com- 
fort of thy Holy Spirit, as to be the means of weaning 
him from the world, of bringing him nearer to Thy- 
self, and of purifying his soul from all the dross and 
defilement which it may have contracted in this sinful 
life. We know, O Father, that Thou dost not 
willingly afflict and grieve the children of men, and 
that Thou of Thy goodness hast caused Thy servant 
to be troubled. O grant him such a measure of grace, 



as may enable him cheerfully to submit his will to 
Thine. And if, in the days of health and happiness, 
he hath at any time forgotten Thee, and turned aside 
unto vanity and folly ; O merciful Father, let not his 
past faults provoke Thee to turn away Thy face from 
him, now that he flies unto Thee in the time of his 
trouble. Shut not up Thy tender mercies in dis- 
pleasure, but for the merits and intercession of Thy 
dear Son, pardon all his sins, and restore him to Thy 
love and favour. O Lord, support him under all his 
pains and infirmities. Strengthen his faith, enliven 
his hopes, increase his charity, and perfect his repent- 
ance. Make Thou his bed in his sickness, and lay 
not more upon him than Thou wilt enable him to 
bear. Give Thy blessing to the means which may be 
used for his recovery, that if it shall be Thy good 
pleasure to restore him to his former health, he may 
lead the residue of his life in Thy fear and to Thy 
glory. But if Thou hast otherwise determined, grant 
that the more the outward man decayeth, so much the 
more the inner man may be strengthened and renewed 
by Thy Holy Spirit ; and give him grace so to take 
Thy visitation, that after thi3 painful life ended, he 
may dwell with Thee in life everlasting, through the 
merits and mediation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ. Amen. 

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and consider my desire ; 
hearken unto me for Thy truth and righteousness* 
sake. 

10* 



6 

And enter not into judgment with Thy servant; 
for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified. 

Call to remembrance, O Lord, Thy tender mercies, 
and Thy loving-kindnesses, which have been ever 
of old. 

remember not the sins and offences of my youth ; 
but according to Thy mercy think Thou upon me, 
O Lord, for Thy goodness. 

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of 
Thy name : let Thy loving-kindness and Thy truth 
alway preserve me. 

Thou art my Helper and Redeemer ; make no long 
tarrying, O my God. 

1 will hearken what the Lord God will say con- 
cerning me ; for He shall speak peace unto His people 
and to His saints, that they turn not again. 

For His salvation is nigh them that fear Him ; 
that glory may dwell in our land. 

Thou hast forgiven the offence of Thy people, and 
covered all their sins. 

Thou hast taken away all Thy displeasure, and 
turned Thyself from Thy wrathful indignation. 

I will alway give thanks unto the Lord ; His 
praise shall ever be in my mouth. 

My soul shall make her boast in the Lord; the 
humble shall hear thereof and be glad. 

praise the Lord with me, and let us magnify 
His name together. 

1 sought the Lord, and He heard me : yea, He 
delivered me out of all my fear. 



A PENITENTIAL PRAYER. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who art always 
more ready to hear than we to pray, and art wont to 
give more than either we desire or deserve, pour 
down upon Thy servant the abundance of Thy 
mercy, forgiving him those things whereof his con- 
science is afraid, and giving him those good things 
which we are not worthy to ask, but through the 
merits and mediation of Jesus Christ Thy Son our 
Lord. 

Impute not unto him, O Lord, the follies of his 
youth, nor any of the errors and miscarriages of his 
life. Lay not to his charge what in the lust of the 
flesh, or in the pride of life, he hath committed 
against Thee. Lay not to his charge what in the 
suddenness of his wrathf or in vain and idle words, 
he hath committed against Thee. Remember not 
his offences, but spare him, good Lord ; spare Thy 
servant, whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy most 
precious blood, and be not angry with him for ever. 
Deliver him from the guilt and burden of his sins, 
from the sting and terrors of conscience, from impa- 
tience, distrust, or despair. O Lord God, may it 
please Thee to remember him with the favour Thou 
bearest unto Thy people, and to visit him with Thy 
salvation. Make him a partaker of all Thy mercies 
and promises in Christ Jesus, and refresh him with 
the peace and consolations of Thy Holy Spirit 
Bless, O Lord, the means which may be used for his 



recovery, and deliver him in Thy good appointed 
time from his bodily pain, that if it shall be Thy 
pleasure to prolong his days here upon earth, he may 
live to Thee and be an instrument of Thy glory, by 
serving Thee faithfully and doing good in his gene- 
ration ; or if in Thine infinite wisdom Thou should- 
est otherwise order it, support him in patience and 
submission to Thy will, send him seasonable relief 
in his sufferings, visit him with comforts from above, 
and finally receive him into those heavenly habita- 
tions, where the souls of those who sleep in the 
Lord Jesus enjoy perpetual rest and felicity. Grant 
this, O Father, for Thy mercies' sake, in the same 
our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with 
Thee, and the Holy Ghost, One God, world without 
end. Amen. 

To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgive- 
nesses, though we have rebelled against Him ; 

Neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our 
God, to walk in his laws which He set before us, by 
his servants the prophets. 

He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, 
and perverted that which was right, and it profited 
me not ; 

He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, 
and his life shall see the light 

For Christ hath once suffered for sins, the just for 
the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put 
to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit 



9 

Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand 
of God ; angels, and authorities, and powers being 
made subject unto him. 

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the 
uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he 
ever liveth to make intercession for them. 

For we have not an high priest which cannot be 
touched with the feeling of our infirmities ; but was 
in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of 
grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to 
help in time of need. 

FOR ONE WHO IS WEAK IN FaITH. 

O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our 
only help in time of need; we fly unto Thee for 
succour in behalf of this Thy afflicted servant, and 
humbly beg that Thy mercy may descend upon his 
body and his soul. We come unto Thee in the 
name and merits of our Saviour, praying Thee to 
pardon the sins of Thy servant, to wash them away 
in the blood of Thy Son, and to bury them in the 
grave of Him that died for us, that they may never 
rise up in judgment against him, nor bring him in 
the day of trial to shame and confusion of face. 

Give Thy servant, O Lord, patience under his 
sorrows, and comfort in his long and wearisome 
sickness. Thou knowest all his necessities and infir- 
mities, the weakness of his faith, the errors of his 
understanding, and his great need of a livelier hope, 



10 

a firmer trust, and a fuller assurance of the truths 
and promises of Thy holy Gospel. O strengthen his 
faith, enliven his hope, dispel from his mind all 
gloominess and doubts, refresh him with the light 
and comfort of Thy holy Spirit, and fill him with 
joy and peace in believing. Lift up his spirit above 
his frail and perishing body. Give him, if it be Thy 
blessed will, a glimpse and foretaste of those things 
which Thou hast prepared for them that love Thee. 
And grant, that his sins being pardoned and the 
sting of death plucked out, he may be ready for his 
departure whenever Thou shalt be pleased to call him 
hence ; that he may look at the grave as the gate of 
immortality, and the introduction to that holy, happy, 
and* unchangeable state, where in Thy presence 
there is the fulness of joy, and at Thy right hand 
there is pleasure for evermore. All which we ask, 
for the sake of our Advocate and Redeemer, Jesus 
Christ. Amen. 

I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod 
of His wrath. 

And Thou hast removed my soul far off from 
peace : I forgat prosperity. 

And I said, My strength and my hope is perished 
from the Lord : 

Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the 
wormwood and the gall. 

My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is 
humbled in me. 



11 

The Lord will not cast off for ever : 

But though He cause grief, yet will He have com- 
passion according to the multitude of His mercies. 

For He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the 
children of men. 

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind 
is stayed on Thee : because he trusteth in Thee. 

My help standeth in the name of the Lord, who 
hath made heaven and earth. 

Show the light of Thy countenance upon Thy ser- 
vant and I shall be safe. 

Do well, O Lord, to them that are true of heart, 
and evermore mightily defend them. 

Show me Thy ways, O Lord, and teach me Thy 
paths. 

Lead me forth in Thy truth, and learn me, for 
Thou art the God of my salvation. 

FOR ONE WHO IS TROUBLED WITH DIFFICULTIES AND 
DOUBTS. 

O blessed Lord, the Father of mercies, and the 
God of all consolation, we beseech Thee to look 
down in pity and compassion upon this Thy afflicted 
servant. In the multitude of the sorrows that he hath 
in his heart, let Thy comforts refresh his soul. Settle 
and calm the discomposure of his thoughts. Speak 
peace to his troubled mind. Fill him with confidence 
and joy in the sense of Thy pardon and love. And 
us Thou hast given Thy holy word for our learning, 
that we through patience and comfort of the scrip- 



12 

tures might have hope ; shed upon him the bright 
beams of Thy heavenly light, that he may clearly see 
the wonders of Thy law and the riches of Thy grace ; 
that he may realize the truths and promises of Thy 
gospel, and all darkness and doubt be chased away. 
Let this trial of him, O Lord, which has already had 
the gracious effect of making him more sensible of 
his guilt, and anxious for Thy favour, be still more 
sanctified and blessed to him ; till at length rising to 
higher degrees of faith and holiness, he may, through 
the blood of Thy Son, be cleansed from all his sins, 
and presented pure and without spot before thee. 
And now that all other enjoyments fail him, repre- 
sent thyself more effectually to him, as the only 
ground of his hope and rock of his salvation. Revive 
and support him with the consolations of Thy Spirit 
Fix his mind steadfastly on our great Redeemer, who 
has led the way through the grave to heaven, that he 
may not be terrified at the approach of death, but 
looking beyond it to that high and holy place 
whither our Lord has gone before us, he may re- 
joice in the hope of eternal glory. Let this blessed 
prospect make him patient and resigned in his present 
sufferings, sustain him in his agony, and carry him 
safely through the last distress. Let not his faith 
waver, nor his hope fail ; but grant that whenever 
Thou art pleased to take him hence, he may die in 
peace and rise in glory. All which we ask, through 
the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, our Advo- 
cate and Redeemer. Amen. 



13 

Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth ? 
are not his days also like the days of a hireling? 

As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as 
a hireling looketh for the reward of his work : 

So am I made to possess months of vanity, and 
wearisome nights are appointed to me. 

When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and 
the night be gone ? and I am full of tossings to and 
fro, until the dawning of the day. 

When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch 
shall ease my complaint; 

Then Thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest 
me through visions. 

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed ; save me ? 
and I shall be saved ; for Thou art my praise. 

But though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him ; 

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of 
all comfort ; who comforteth us in all our tribulation. 

No chastening for the present seemeth to be joy- 
ous, but grievous ; nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth 
the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which 
are exercised thereby. 

For which cause we faint not ; but though our 
outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed 
day by day. 

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, 
worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal 
weight of glory ; » 

While we look not at the things which are seen, 
11 



14 

but at the things which are not seen ; for the things 
which are seen are temporal ; but the things which 
are not seen are eternal. 



FOR ONE WHO IS DANGEROUSLY ILL. 

O Lord our God, we come unto Thee in behalf 
of this Thy servant, here lying in great weakness of 
body under Thy chastening hand. Look down upon 
him, we beseech Thee, in pity. We know, O Lord, 
that if Thou wilt Thou canst even yet raise him up, 
and heal all his infirmities. In submission to Thy will, 
we beg this mercy at Thy hands. Spare him, good 
Lord, and restore him to health. Comfort our hearts 
by granting him a longer continuance among us. 
But however Thou shalt be pleased to deal with him, 
yet, Lord, let his soul be ever precious in Thy sight 
Give him repentance towards Thee, and a lively and 
triumphant faith in Jesus Christ. Wash his soul 
with the blood of Thy Son, and adorn it with the 
graces of Thy Spirit, that it may be cleansed from all 
its defilements, and in the great day be presented 
pure and without spot before Thee. Fit him for 
whatever in Thy wise Providence thou hast appoint- 
ed, that it may be unto him Christ to live, and gain 
to die, and that in all things he may find cause to 
glorify Thy name. If Thou shouldest be graciously 
pleased to raise him from his bed of languishing, 
grant that he may lead the residue of his life in Thy 
fear and to Thy glory. Or if Thou hast otherwise 



15 

determined, prepare him for the hour of his departure. 
Support him in his last agonies. Defend him from 
the danger of his enemies. And finish all that is 
wanting in the work of his salvation. Make his last 
end easy and peaceful, and his hope full of immor- 
tality. And finally receive him into the arms of Thy 
unspeakable mercy, and into the glorious estate of 
Thy chosen saints in heaven. All which we ask, in 
the name and through the mediation of our Advo- 
cate and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

A PRAYER IN THE HOUR OF DEATH. 

O gracious God, who didst send Thine only be- 
gotten Son into the world, that whosoever believeth 
in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life ; 
look with pity and compassion upon this Thy servant, 
for whom our Saviour shed his blood. Now, O 
God, the time hath come, in which he is to close his 
work on earth, and to be consigned over to the 
righteous Judgment of the last day, in which Thou 
wilt render to every man according to his deeds. O 
look not upon his offences and sins, but upon the 
righteousness of Christ, in whom he hath steadfastly 
believed. Let him receive the fruit of all his labours, 
a blessed return of all his prayers, and the effect of all 
the sufferings of Thy holy Son Jesus. Now let him 
find the end of his hopes; patience in tribulation, 
peace amidst the agitation and distress of all around 
him, and Joy unspeakable and full of glory. Now 



16 

let him feel, O blessed Saviour, the effect of Thy 
mighty power and glorious victory over sin and 
death. Let him realize that faith is the substance of 
things hoped for ; let all the promises of the gospel 
pass into actual manifestations of Thy loving kind- 
ness to him ; let the cheering visitations of the Holy 
Ghost, the Comforter, lighten his sadness, chase away 
the darkness and gloom of the valley of the shadow 
of death, and give him a foretaste of those unutter- 
able Joys which Thou hast prepared for them that 
love Thee ; through Thine own prevailing merits, O 
holy Jesus, who with the Father and the Spirit ever 
livest and reignest one God, world without end. 
Amen. 

A PRAYER IN THE LAST AGONY. 

O most blessed and gracious Saviour, into Thy 
hands we commend the soul of this Thy servant, 
praying Thee to defend it from all evil ; from the 
wrath of God which it hath deserved, from the spirits 
of darkness which are seeking to devour it, and from 
the bitter pains of eternal death. 

Let Thy holy angels receive it when the earthly 
house of this tabernacle is dissolved, and carry it to 
the region of the blest ; there to await with longing 
and Joy, with faith and hope for its perfect consum- 
mation and bliss at the resurrection of the Just. 

O Holy Jesus, say unto this soul, This day shalt 
thou be with me in Paradise ; say unto this soul, Fear 
not, for it is my Father's pleasure to give thee a king- 



17 

dom ; let it pass through the valley of the shadow of 
death with resignation and peace, to the general as- 
sembly and Church of the first-born, to the spirits of 
Just men made perfect, to the presence of God the 
Judge of all, and of Thee, O Jesus, the mediator of 
the Covenant, by whose blood we were redeemed. 

Give unto this decaying dying body a glorious re- 
surrection ; to this weary and afflicted spirit, rest 
from its labours ; to this penitent and ransomed sin- 
ner, the assurance of Thy favour, while life is spared, 
and an everlasting inheritance among Thy saints in 
light 

Remember, O God, the good things which by the 
aids of Thy grace Thy servant hath done ; and re- 
member not his evil deeds which by the weakness 
of the flesh and the temptations of the devil he hath 
committed against Thee, and by which his soul is 
humbled in thy sight. Remember that Thy dear and 
only Son did die for his sins, and that Thy Holy Spirit 
was the source and spring of his virtues and graces ; 
and for whom Thou hast given Thy Son, and to whom 
Thou hast given Thy Spirit, give Thy eternal par- 
don and Thy eternal glories, through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

ANOTHER, 

O Father of mercies and God of all consolation, 
we fly unto Thee for succour in behalf of this Thy 
servant, in the hour of his need ; most humbly be- 
ll* 



18 

seeching Thee to support and strengthen him in this 
last conflict of his life. Deliver him from the snares 
and terrors of the wicked one, and sustain him in his 
agonies with the peace and comfort of a good con- 
science, and the soothing conviction of Thy pardon 
and love. As Thou bringest him nearer to Thyself, so 
let him long more ardently for Thy presence. And 
may it please Thee-, in Thine infinite mercy, to afford 
him some foretaste of future bliss, that he may tri- 
umph even in death itself. O glorious day ! which 
shall bring us to the full enjoyment of our Saviour 
and our God ; when this veil of flesh shall be done 
away, and spiritual Joy, unalterable peace, purity, 
holiness, and love, shall for ever abound. Blessed 
be Thy name, most gracious Lord, who hast opened 
an entrance into such bliss for returning sinners, and 
ordained such a recompense for our unworthy 
labours. And though Thy servant must needs pass 
through the valley of the shadow of death to come to 
those seats of light and joy, suffer him not to faint 
under the terrors and struggles of nature ; but in- 
crease his trust, enliven his hope, and animate him in 
the combat for the crown of glory, which Thou hast 
promised to all who love and fear Thee. Suffer not 
his faith to be shaken, nor Thy loving kindness to 
fail, and however Thou dealest with him while in 
this corruptible body, let his soul, we beseech 
Thee, be ever precious in Thy sight. Wash it in 
the blood of that immaculate Lamb who was slain 
for the sins of the world, that all its pollutions being 



19 

purged and done away, it may be presented pure and 
without spot before Thee, and finally be received into 
Thine everlasting kingdom, through the merits and 
mediation of the same, our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ. Amen. 

The wicked is driven away in his wickedness, but 
the righteous hath hope in his death. 

Then shall the righteous man stand in great bold- 
ness, before the face of those who made no account 
of his labours. 

When they see it, they shall be troubled with ter- 
rible fear, and amazed at the strangeness of his sal- 
vation. 

We fools accounted his life madness, and his end 
to be without honour. 

How is he numbered among the children of God, 
and his lot is among the saints ! 

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of 
his saints. 

# " The sinner, in the season of health, looks upon 
futurity with a tranquil eye ; but in the last moments 
of his life, when he contemplates it more closely, his 
calmness is changed into faintness and terror. The 
just man, on the contrary, during the days of his 
mortal life, did not dare to look with a fixed eye upon 
the depth of God's judgments. He worked out his 
salvation with fear and trembling. He shuddered at the 

* Massillon — Sur la Mort du Pecheur et la Mort du Juste. Avent. 
77—81. 



20 

bare thought of that awful futurity in which even the 
righteous, if they were judged without mercy, could 
scarcely be saved. But on the bed of death, the God 
of peace is present with him, and calms his agitation. 
His terrors instantaneously cease, and are changed 
into a delightful hope. He already pierces with ex- 
piring eyes through the cloud of mortality which 
surrounds him, and beholds like Stephen the bosom 
of glory, and the Son of man at the right hand of 
His Father, ready to receive him ; that immortal 
country after which he had so long sighed, and where 
in spirit he had always dwelt ; that holy Sion which 
the God of his fathers fills with His glory and His 
presence ; where He overwhelms His chosen ser- 
vants with the torrent of His pleasures, and daily 
imparts to them those incomprehensible blessings 
which He hath prepared for them who love Him ; 
that city of the people of God, the abode of His 
saints, the dwelling-place of prophets and just men 
made perfect; where he will once more find his 
brethren whom charity had united to him on earth, 
and with whom he will eternally bless the mercies of 
the Lord, and sing the praises of his grace. 

"With what joy, then, does he listen to the ministers 
of the Church, when they announce unto him that 
his hour is come, and eternity is at hand ; when they 
say unto him in the name of the Church which sends 
them: Depart, Christian soul, Prqftciscere, anima 
Christiana, Go forth from this land where you have 
so long been a stranger and a captive : the time of 



21 

your tribulations and trials is ended. Behold at 
length the righteous Judge, who comes to break the 
chains which bind you to mortality. Return to the 
bosom of that God from which \ _^ sprung. Quit 
at length a world which is not worthy of you : Profi- 
ciscere, anima Christiana. The Lord has suffered 
Himself at last to be moved by your tears, he comes 
to open to you the way of the saints, and the gates of 
everlasting life. Depart, faithful servant of the Lord, 
you are about to be united to the Church of Heaven, 
which awaits your coming. 

Those do not perish who sleep in the Lord. We 
lose you on earth, only to find you again in a very 
short time, with Jesus Christ in the kingdom of His 
saints ; the body which is about to be delivered as a 
prey to rottenness and worms, will soon follow you 
in incorruption and glory ; not a hair of your head 
shall perish; there will remain in your ashes the 
seeds of immortality, until the day of revelation, when 
your dry bones will be re-animated and appear 
brighter than light. What happiness for you, to be 
at length freed from all the miseries with which we 
still continue to be afflicted ; to be no longer exposed 
like your brethren, to lose the favour of God which 
you now possess ; to close your eyes at last to all 
the scandals which grieve us, to the vanity which 
seduces us, to the examples which lead us astray, to 
the attachment which divide our affections, to the 
agitations which distract our minds ! What happi- 
ness to depart, at length, from a place where every- 



22 

thing wearies and everything pollutes us, where we 
are a burthen to ourselves, where we live only to 
render ourselves more miserable ; and to go thence 
to an abode of peace, serenity, and gladness, where 
there is no other occupation but to enjoy the God 
whom we love ! Prqficiscere, anima Christiana. 

What news of joy and immortality then for the 
righteous man ! What a blessed order of things ! 
With what peace, what confidence, and thanksgiv- 
ing, does he receive it ! He raises his dying eyes, 
like good old Simeon, to heaven, and fixing them on 
the Lord, he secretly says to Him, Break, O my God, 
when it pleases Thee, these feeble bonds which still 
connect me with this mortal state. I wait in peace 
and hope for the fulfilment of Thy eternal promises. 
Thus purified by the expiation of a holy and Chris- 
tian life, fortified by the remedies of the Church, 
washed in the blood of the Lamb, supported by the 
hope of the promises, comforted by the communica- 
tions of the Holy Ghost, ripe for eternity; he shuts 
his eyes upon all things with a holy joy, he falls 
gently asleep in the Lord, and returns to the bosom 
of Him who created him, and who has now become 
his everlasting reward." 



23 

PRAYER BY A MOTHER BEFORE CHILD-BIRTH. 

O Almighty God, Father of men and angels, 
in whose hands are the keys of life and death ; look 
down in great mercy, and gentlest compassion upon 
Thy unworthy servant. Thou hast fixed the sharpest 
decree of sorrow and pain upon the weakest of man- 
kind ; but Thou so lovest to magnify Thy mercies 
and Thy power, as that Thy strength may be seen in 
our weakness. So let it be, O God, unto Thy hand- 
maid ; let Thy loving-kindness be my confidence 
and my rest, my hope and my security, both now 
and in the hour of my travail. 

Lord, let Thy holy angels be present with Thy 
servant in their charitable ministries about my per- 
son. It is a great thing that I ask, but I beg it of the 
King of heaven and earth, who hath promised that 
his angels shall stand around them that fear the Lord. 
Look, O Lord, upon my fear and sanctify it, that it 
may lead me to carefulness in my duty, and obedi- 
ence to Thy commandments. Increase my love of 
Thee, and make it to be pure and perfect, that I may 
abound in every good work, and be holy and unre- 
provable in Thy sight. Give me grace to rely with 
unshaken confidence upon Thy glorious promises. 
Thou hast commanded us to call upon Thee in our 
trouble, and hast promised to deliver us. O leave 
me not, nor forsake me, for there is none that can 
help or deliver, but only Thou, O God. In Thee, 
O Lord, do I put my trust ; let me never be con- 
founded. Give me patience and resignation, a per- 



24 

feet abandonment of my own will, and a conformity 
to Thine ; that I may be prepared to endure evil at 
Thy hand with fortitude, or to receive good with 
thankfulness. But yet, O Lord my God, give Thy 
servant leave to pray unto Thee, that Thou wilt not 
cut me off in the midst of my days, nor forsake me 
when my strength faileth. Spare me, O God, that I 
may live to serve Thee, to redeem my time misspent 
in folly, to gain victory over my temptations, and 
perfect dominion over my passions. O spare me a 
little, that I may recover my strength, before I go 
hence and be no more seen ; so shall Thy servant 
rejoice in Thy mercies, and speak of Thy loving- 
kindness in the Church of Thy redeemed. And 
grant that those impressions of fear and love, of hope 
and desire, which Thy grace makes upon me in the 
circumstances of my present condition, may abide 
in my soul for ever, and in the days of ease and safety 
may be as productive of holiness, as they now are of 
hearty prayers and passionate desires for Thy mer- 
cies upon me in a safe and blessed child-birth. 

Lord, be gracious unto my child, and grant that it 
may be born with a perfect body and a sound mind, 
and let Thy Spirit of grace bless and sanctify it in 
baptism, and conduct it in safety and holiness from 
the cradle to the grave. Hear me, O gracious God, 
for His sake who suffered the infirmities of our na- 
ture, and died for our sins, and rose again for our 
justification, Thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 






25 



THANKSGIVINGS AFTER RECOVERY FROM CHILD-BIRTH. 

As it hath pleased Thee, O Almighty God, who 
hast commanded us when we are afflicted to pray, 
and hast promised to be with us in trouble, to make 
good Thy truth and mercy unto me in standing at 
my right hand in the day of my sorrow and danger, 
giving me a safe deliverance, and a living and hope- 
ful child ; I therefore return to Thee, O God, the 
sacrifice of a joyful and thankful heart, in an humble 
acknowledgment of Thy divine mercies and goodness 
unto me in this great blessing and happy deliverance 
from the pain and peril of child-birth. O gracious 
Lord, who healest every sickness and every disease, 
and who art always present to the prayers of them 
who in the day of trouble call upon Thy holy name, 
continue and renew Thy loving-kindness unto me. 
Keep me from all violent accidents and intolerable 
pains, from colds and fevers, and defend me by the 
guardianship of the angels of light from all the as- 
saults of the powers of darkness. Give me refresh- 
ing rest and sleep, a meek and quiet spirit, unshaken 
confidence in Thy goodness and power, a daily 
sense of thy mercies, a speedy restoration of health 
and strength, and a thankful heart, that I may praise 
Thee in the congregation of saints, and serve Thee 
with an increasing zeal and a persevering duty all 
the days of my life, through Jesus Christ ouf Lord. 
Amen. 

12 



26 

O most merciful Saviour, who didst take our na- 
ture upon Thee, and wert born of a pure virgin ; who 
hast felt the calamities of mankind, and knowest how 
to pity our infirmities, and rejoicest in doing and 
showing mercy to all that need and to all that call 
unto Thee for succour ; I give Thee thanks and 
praise that Thou hast heard my prayers, and con- 
sidered my cries, and relieved my necessities, and 
kept my life from the grave, still continuing to me a 
portion in the land of the living, and an opportunity 
of serving Thee and doing good in my generation. 
O continue and increase, and sanctify Thy mercies 
to me. Pardon all my sins, pity my infirmities, as- 
sist me in my duty, keep me from all evil by Thy 
watchful providence, and lead me into all good by 
Thy heavenly grace ; that walking humbly and de- 
voutly before Thee, piously and dutifully to my re- 
latives and friends, doing justice and giving a good 
example to those with whom I shall converse, I may 
find the rewards of holiness and the eternal mercies 
of God in the day of Thy glorious appearing, O 
blessed Jesus, our Advocate and Redeemer. Amen. 

A PRAYER BY THE PARENTS BEFORE THE CHILD IS 
BAPTIZED. 

O Almighty and eternal God, who hast redeemed 
us from sin and shame, from the sting of death and 
the gates of hell, and from ignorance and darkness 
by Thv dear Son, who is that Light which lighteneth 
every man that cometh into the world ; we praise and 



27 

glorify Thee for having called us to the knowledge 
of Thy will, to the love of Thy name, and the service 
of Thy Majesty which is perfect freedom. 

As Thou hast dealt graciously with us, so deal 
with this infant whom we shall bring and offer to our 
blessed Saviour, that He should receive him and bless 
him with the blessings of an everlasting love. O 
most gracious Lord, he is Thine by creation : make 
him Thine also by adoption. Let him be admitted 
into Christ's kingdom, enter into His warfare, believe 
in His doctrine, and hope for His promises ; that this 
child may have his understanding for ever brought 
unto the obedience, his affections to the love, and all 
his faculties to the service of Christ, and that after he 
hath served Thee in his generation he may receive 
his part and portion in Thy glory, through the same 
Thy Son, our gracious Advocate and Redeemer 
Amen. 



O Almighty God, who hast given the promise of 
Thy Spirit to us and to our children, even to as many 
as Thou shalt call, give Thy holy Spirit to my infant, 
that the Wicked One may not approach him, to hurt 
the body, nor deceive the understanding, nor corrupt 
the will, nor pollute the affections of my child ; but 
that Thy Spirit, who, like the wind which bloweth 
where it listeth, and no man knows whence it cometh 
nor whither it goeth, may by His secret influences 
renew and transform him into the image of Thy Son ; 



28 

that the kingdom of God which is within and com- 
eth not with observation, may be early established in 
this infant ; that Thy grace may rule and govern his 
conduct, prevent the folly of his childhood from grow- 
ing up to sin in his youth, and work in him effectually 
when his weakness, his ignorances, and temptations 
are most liable to lead him astray ; and that he may 
be guided by the Spirit in the paths of Thy com- 
mandments from his cradle to his grave. Ad mit him, 
O God, into the bosom of the Church, into the arms 
of Thy mercy, into a right of the promises, into the 
communion of saints, and grant that being buried 
with Christ in baptism he may also rise with Him to 
righteousness here, and glory hereafter in Thy heav- 
enly kingdom, through the same our blessed Lord 
and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 

A THANKSGIVING AFTER THE CHILD IS BAPTIZED. 

We give Thee thanks and praise, O heavenly 
Father, that it hath pleased Thee to call our child to 
Thy holy baptism, to sanctify him with Thy Spirit, 
to admit him into Thy Church, to adopt him for 
Thine own child, and to make him a partaker of the 
promises in Christ Jesus our Lord. And we humbly 
beseech Thee, to vouchsafe him Thy grace to accom- 
pany him all the days of his life, that he may hold 
fast the profession of his faith, and make his calling 
and election sure. Grant that his body being washed 
in pure water, and his heart sprinkled from an evil 
conscience, he may follow Thee in the regeneration, 



29 

and that after the end of this life, he may for ever be 
with them who have washed their robes and made 
them white in the blood of the Lamb, through the 
same Jesus Christ, our blessed Saviour and Re- 
deemer. Amen, 

A PRAYER AFTER THE CHILD IS BAPTIZED. 

O most holy and gracious Saviour, who lovest 
Thy Church, and hast given Thyself for it, that Thou 
mightest sanctify and cleanse it, and present it pure 
and without spot before God ; do Thou with Thy 
holy Spirit enlighten, and with Thy word instruct the 
understanding of our child, that he may learn Thy will 
and obey Thy laws, and live by faith and not by sight. 

O God, be Thou his Father for ever, Christ his 
elder brother and his Lord, the Church his mother ; 
let the body of Christ be his food, the blood of Christ 
his drink, and the Spirit the earnest of his inheritance. 
Let faith be his learning, religion his employment, 
heaven the object of his hopes and the end of his 
labours ; let him be Thy servant in the kingdom of 
grace, and Thy adopted child in the kingdom of 
glory. And since, blessed Lord, Thou hast made 
Thy angels ministering spirits to them who shall be 
heirs of salvation, of Thy mercy and goodness send 
them forth, we beseech Thee, to be the guardians of 
our child. Defend him from all dangers of body and 
soul, and make him wise, useful, and holy, beloved 
of men and beloved of Thee, O God, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 
12* 



30 



O most gracious and eternal God, who hast pro- 
mised to be a Father to a thousand generations of 
them that love and fear Thee, be Thou a God and a 
Father to me, and the children which Thou hast 
given me. Enable me to bring them up in the nur- 
ture and admonition of the Lord, to the praise and 
honour of Thy holy name. O give me Thy grace 
and favour, that I may instruct them with prudence 
and firmness, and lead them, both by precept and 
example, into the ways of righteousness and truth ; 
never provoking them to wrath by the harshness of 
my rebukes, nor through weakness indulging them 
in their follies. And that all my children may be 
Thine, O preserve them in Thy favour or take them 
away from hence whilst they are innocent. But if it 
be Thy good pleasure to let them live to a full age, 
secure to them, I beseech Thee, a full measure of 
piety and holiness. To this end give them grace to 
obey their parents, that doing the duty they may re- 
ceive the promise. Preserve them from sin and 
shame, from youthful follies and youthful crimes 
Sanctify them wholly in their bodies, souls, and spi 
rits, that their thoughts may be pure and spotless, 
and acceptable in Thy sight. Let their words be 
discreet and prudent, sincere and holy, that they ma) 
minister grace unto the hearers. Let all their actions 
be such as become the servants of Christ, that pleas 
ing Thee and doing good to others, they may in- 



31 

crease in the love of Thee, their God, and in favour 
with men ; and may have the portion of the meek 
and humble in this world, and of the pure and mer- 
ciful in the world to come, through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

A PRAYER FOR A SICK CHILD. 

Almighty God and merciful Father, to whom 
alone belong the issues of life and death ; look down 
from heaven, we humbly beseech Thee, with the 
eyes of mercy, upon this sick child. Deliver him, O 
Lord, in Thy good appointed time, from his bodily 
pain, and visit him with Thy salvation ; that if it 
should be Thy good pleasure to prolong his days 
here on earth, he may live to Thee, and be an instru- 
ment of Thy glory, by serving Thee faithfully, and 
doing good in his generation ; or else receive him 
into those heavenly habitations, where the souls of 
those who sleep in the Lord Jesus enjoy perpetual 
rest and felicity. Grant this, O Lord, for Thy mer- 
cies' sake, in the same Thy Son our Lord Jesus 
Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the 
Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. 
Amen. 

FOR A YOUNG PERSON WHO IS SICK. 

O Almighty God, the Lord of life and death, of 
sickness and health, regard our supplications, we 
humbly beseech Thee, for this Thy servant. In Thy 



32 

wisdom Thou hast seen fit to visit him with trouble, 
and to bring distress upon him. Deliver him in Thy 
good appointed time from his bodily pain, and save 
his soul for Thy mercies' sake. 

Acknowledge, O Lord, we beseech Thee, this 
lamb of Thy flock ; remember him with the favour 
Thou bearest unto Thy chosen ;" hear the voice of 
his complaint, grant him patience in his sufferings 
and support under the terrors which encompass him. 
Thou knowest whereof he is made, and rememberest 
that he is but dust. Look graciously, then, upon his 
infirmities, relieve him from his fears, and give him 
comfort and sure confidence in Thee. And when 
his flesh and his heart faileth, O be Thou the strength 
of his heart and his portion for ever. Sanctify this 
Thy fatherly correction to him. Set before his eyes 
the things he hath done in the body, which have 
justly provoked Thee to anger. tA waken in him 
unfeigned repentance for all the errors of his life 
past. Humble him in the remembrance of his 
offences and follies. But, O Thou, who breakest 
not the bruised reed, nor quenchest the smoking flax, 
consider his contrition, accept his tears, and give him 
steadfast faith in Thy Son Jesus ; that his sins may 
be done away by Thy mercy and his pardon sealed 
in heaven, before he go hence and be no more seen. 

But if it should be Thy good pleasure to prolong 
his days here on earth, grant that he may live to 
Thee, and be an instrument of Thy glory, by serv- 



83 

ing Thee faithfully and doing good in his generation. 
Grant that all sinful affections may die in him. En- 
due him with heavenly virtues. Replenish him with 
the truth of Thy doctrine, adorn him with innocency 
of life, and daily increase in him Thy manifold gifts 
of grace. Let Thy Fatherly hand ever be over hirn. 
Let Thy Holy Spirit ever be with him. And so lead 
him in the knowledge and obedience of Thy word, 
that in the end he may obtain everlasting life, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with Thee, and 
the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth ever one God, 
world without end. Amen. 

Blessed is the man whom Thou chastenest, O 
Lord, and teachest him in Thy law. 

Before I was troubled, I went wrong; but now 
have I kept Thy word. 

It is good for jne that I have been in trouble ; that 
I may learn Thy statutes. 

In my prosperity I said, I shall never be removed; 
Thou Lord, of Thy goodness, hadst made my hill so 
strong. 

Thou didst turn Thy face from me, and I was 
troubled. 

Then cried I unto Thee, O Lord ; and gat me to 
my Lord right humbly. 

If the Lord had not helped me, it had not failed, 
but my soul had been put to silence. 

But when I said, My foot hath slipped; Thy 
mercy, O Lord, held me up. 



34 



In the multitude of the sorrows that I had in my 
heart, Thy comforts have refreshed my soul. 

Thou hast turned my heaviness into joy ; Thou 
hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with glad- 
ness. 

Therefore shall every good man sing of Thy praise 
without ceasing : O my God, I will give thanks unto 
Thee for ever. 



THANKSGIVINGS FOR THE BEGINNING OF A RECOVERY 
FROM SICKNESS. 

Great and mighty God, who bringest down to the 
grave, and bringest up again ; we bless Thy wonder- 
ful goodness, for having turned our heaviness into 
joy, and our mourning into gladness, by restoring 
this our brother to some degree of his former health. 
Blessed be Thy name, that Thou didst not forsake 
him in his sickness ; but didst visit him with com- 
forts from above ; didst support him in patience and 
submission to Thy will ; and at last, didst send him 
seasonable relief. Perfect, we beseech Thee, this 
Thy mercy towards him; and prosper the means 
which shall be made use of for his cure : that being 
restored to health of body, vigour of mind, and 
cheerfulness of spirit, he may be able to go to Thine 
house, to offer Thee an oblation with great gladness ; 
and to bless Thy holy name for all Thy goodness to- 
wards him, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. To 
whom with Thee and the Holy Spirit, be all hono?v 
and glory, world without end. Amen. 



35 

It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that 
we should at all times and in all places, give thanks 
and praise, honour and adoration, love and duty to 
Thee, O Lord, the Father of mercies and God of all 
comfort, who hast known our soul in adversity, and 
delivered us from the evils which we most justly have 
deserved. We confess, O God, that we are less than 
the least of all Thy mercies ; but Thy unbounded 
love rejoices in doing us good, and in preserving us 
from evil. Thou art gracious even when Thou 
smitest us ; but we cannot express Thy loving-kind- 
ness to us, when Thou sustainest us in our sorrows, 
when Thou hearest our prayers, when Thou relievest 
our necessities, when Thou deliverest us from Thy 
wrath, and snatchest us from the power of the grave. 
O give unto Thy servant a thankful heart, an obedi- 
ent mind, carefulness in his duty, zeal for Thy glory, 
submission to Thy divine will and pleasure; that 
serving Thee with all his powers, loving Thee with 
all his heart and strength, obeying Thee in all Thy 
commandments, and delighting in Thee in all Thy 
dispensations, he may be conducted in safety through 
the various changes of Thy providence, defended in 
the temptations of his enemies, relieved in all his ne- 
cessities, assisted in all his duties ; that so he may pass 
through this valley of tears in peace and quietness, in 
faith and charity, in the confidence of a holy hope, and 
in the strength of Thy righteous promises, to the fruition 
of those mercies which are the portion of obedience, 
through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



36 

I said in the cutting off of my days, I shall go to 
the gates of the grave ; I am deprived of the residue 
of my years. 

I said, I shall not see the Lord, even the Lord, in 
the land of the living : I shall behold man no more 
with the inhabitants of the world. 

Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as 
a shepherd's tent: he will cut me off with pining 
sickness : from day even to night wilt Thou make an 
end of me. 

My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the 
graves are ready for me. 

And now my soul is poured out upon me ; the 
days of affliction have taken hold upon me. 

My bones are pierced in me in the night season : 
and my sinews take no rest. 

My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even 
the thoughts of my heart. 

But Thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from 
the pit of corruption : for Thou hast cast all my sins 
behind Thy back. 

For the grave cannot praise Thee, death cannot 
celebrate Thee : they that go down into the pit can- 
not hope for Thy truth. 

The living, the living, he shall praise Thee, as I do 
this day : the father to the children shall make known 
Thy truth. 

When my soul fainted within me, I remembered 
the Lord : and my prayer came in unto Thee, into 
Thy holy temple. 



37 

They that observe lying vanities, forsake their own 
mercy. 

But I will sacrifice unto Thee with the voice of 
thanksgiving ; I will pay that I have vowed. Sal- 
vation is of the Lord. 

THANKSGIVINGS FOR A RECOVERY FROM SICKNESS. 

O God, who art the giver of life, of health, and of 
safety ; we bless Thy name, that Thou hast been 
pleased to deliver from his bodily sickness this Thy 
servant, who now desireth to return thanks unto 
Thee. Gracious art Thou, O Lord, and full of com- 
passion to the children of men. May his heart be 
duly impressed with a sense of Thy merciful good- 
ness, and may he devote the residue of his days to 
an humble, holy, and obedient walking before Thee, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Thou, O Lord, didst revoke the sentence which 
appeared to have gone out against him Unto Thee 
may he ascribe the honour and praise. May he be 
glad and rejoice in Thy mercy, for Thou hast consi- 
dered his trouble and hast known his soul in adver- 
sity. As Thou hast spread Thy hand upon him for a 
covering, so also enlarge his heart with thankfulness, 
and fill his mouth with praise. And let Thy favour 
and loving-kindness endure for ever and ever upon 
Thy servant, and grant that what Thou hast sown in 
mercy may spring up in duty. O let Thy grace so 
strengthen his purposes, that he may sin no more. 
13 



38 

Let him walk in the light of thy countenance and in 
the way of Thy commandments, that living here to 
the glory of Thy name, he may at last enter into the 
glory of Thy kingdom and spend eternity in Thy 
praise, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and 
the earth is my footstool : but to this man will I look, 
even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and 
trembleth at my word. 

I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions 
for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. 
Gracious is the Lord and righteous, yea our God is 
merciful. 

The Lord will command His loving-kindness in 
the day-time, and in the night His song shall be with 
me. 

Why art thou so full of heaviness, O my soul, and 
why art thou so disquieted within me ? 

Put thy trust in God, for I will yet give Him 
thanks for the help of His countenance. 

We have waited for Him, and He will save us ; 
we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice 
in His salvation. 

FOR A PERSON IN A STATE OF DESPONDENCY. 

Almighty God, the aid of all who need, and the 
helper of those who fly unto Thee for succour; ac- 
cept, we beseech Thee, the prayers which we now 
make for this Thy servant, labouring under the gloomy 



39 

apprehension of Thy displeasure. Enter not into 
judgment with him, for if Thou wilt be extreme to 
mark what is done amiss, O Lord, who may abide 
it ? Make him sensible, that though the wages of 
sin are death, yet Thou hatest nothing that Thou 
hast made, and desirest not the death of a sinner , 
that Thou always punishest less than we deserve, 
and in Thy wrath rememberest mercy. Grant that 
he may not dishonour Thy name by doubting Thy 
goodness, and by perverting the precepts and promises 
of Thy gospel. Graciously convince him of his 
error, and the sinfulness of excluding himself from 
all hope of pardon for his offences, when Thou hast 
declared that those who come unto Thee Thou wilt 
in no wise cast out, and that the blood of Christ 
cleanseth from all sin. Preserve him, O Lord, from 
the neglect of the means of grace, as if they were no 
farther useful, and keep him in the observance of 
every duty enjoined. And though he find no present 
comfort in the ways of Thy laws and the w T orks of 
Thy commandments, yet grant him perseverance, in 
hope that at last he shall receive the advantage of 
them. Let Thy grace be sufficient for him in all his 
trials and distress, and bring him, we humbly beseech 
Thee, from this desponding condition, to rejoice in 
the better knowledge and practice of his duty. De- 
liver him, O Lord, from Thy wrath, and from the 
fear of it, for the sake of Jesus Christ, who made a 
full, perfect, and sufficient satisfaction for the sins 
of the whole world. Amen. 



40 

My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord ; 
neither be weary of His correction : 

For whom the Lord loveth He correcteth; even as 
a father the son in whom he delighteth. 

He withdraweth not His eyes from the righteous : 

Yea, He doth establish them for ever, and they 
are exalted. 

And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in 
cords of affliction ; 

Then He showeth them their work, and their trans- 
gressions that they have exceeded. 

He openeth also their ear to discipline, and com- 
mandeth that they return from iniquity. 

Behold, happy is the man which God correcteth ; 
therefore despise not thou the chastening of the 
Almighty. 

For He maketh sore, and bindeth up ; He wound- 
eth, and His hands make whole. 

He shall deliver thee in six troubles ; yea, in seven 
there shall no evil touch thee. 

In famine He shall redeem thee from death : and 
in war from the power of the sword. 

FOR A PERSON UNDER AFFLICTION. 

O merciful God, and heavenly Father, who hast 
taught us in Thy holy Word, that Thou dost not 
willingly afflict or grieve the children of men ; look 
with pity, we beseech Thee, upon the sorrows of 
Thy servant. In Thy wisdom Thou hast seen fit 



41 

to visit him with trouble, and to bring distress upon 
him. Remember him, O Lord, in mercy ; sanctify 
Thy fatherly correction to him ; endue his soul with 
patience under his affliction, and with resignation to 
Thy blessed will ; comfort him with a sense of Thy 
goodness ; lift up Thy countenance upon him, and 
give him peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Lord, let me know my end, and the number of my 
days, that I may be certified how long I have to live. 

Behold, Thou hast made my days as it were a span 
long, and mine age is even as nothing in respect of 
Thee ; and verily every man living is altogether 
vanity : 

For man walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth 
himself in vain ; he heapeth up riches, and cannot 
tell who shall gather them. 

And now, Lord, what is my hope ? truly my hope 
is even in Thee. 

Deliver me from all mine offences, and make me 
not a rebuke unto the foolish. 

I became dumb, and opened not my mouth ; for it 
was Thy doing. 

Take Thy plague away from me : I ara even con- 
sumed by the means of Thy heavy hand. 

When Thou with rebukes dost chasten man for 
sin, Thou makest his beauty to consume away, like 
as it were a moth fretting a garment; every man, 
therefore, is but vanity. 
13* 



42 

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with Thine ears 
consider my calling; hold not Thy peace at my tears : 

For I am a stranger with Thee, and a sojourner, 
as all my fathers were. 

O spare me a little, that I may recover my strength, 
before I go hence, and be no more seen. 

A PRAYER TO BE USED WITH THE RELATIVES AND 
FRIENDS, AFTER THE SOUL IS DEPARTED. 

Almighty God, who governest all things in heaven 
and earth with infinite wisdom and infinite mercy, 
who bringest good out of evil and comfort out of 
sorrow, and after the saddest visitations dost refresh 
Thy children with the light of Thy countenance, 
with the blessings of Thy providence, with the suc- 
cours of Thy grace, and the consolations of Thy 
Spirit ; have mercy upon this family, and return to 
us all with Thy loving-kindness, changing our grief 
and anguish into holiness and joy. Be Thou a Fa- 
ther to the fatherless, a husband to the widow, and a 
God of comfort to them that mourn. Grant that 
Thy servants may not sorrow as men without hope, 
nor murmur at Thy dispensation ; that they may not 
complain of anything but themselves, nor desire any- 
thing but that Thy will may be done on earth as it is 
in heaven. Grant that when Thou smitest us it may 
increase Thy fear in us, and mat when Thou doest 
good to us in smiting or forbearing, in chastising or 
comforting, it may increase thy love in us. And let 



43 



Thy Holy Spirit so govern our wills and understand- 
ings, our affections and passions, our desires and 
hopes, that we may live acceptably to Thee in this 
world, and depart from it in Thy peace and favour ; 
looking forward to a joyful resurrection in the last 
day, and to the never-ending bliss and glory of Thy 
heavenly kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord- 
Amen. 

Man, that is born of woman, is of few days and 
full of trouble. 

He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down : he 
fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. 

His days are determined, the number of his months 
are with Thee, Thou hast appointed his bounds that 
he cannot pass ; 

Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he pass- 
eth ; Thou changest his countenance, and sendest 
him away. 

His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; 
and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of 
them. 

As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away : 
so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no 
more. 

He shall return no more to his house, neither shall 
his place know him any more. 

I have said to corruption, Thou art my father : to 
the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister. 



44 

And where is now my hope ? As for my hope, 
who shall see it ? 

They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when 
our rest together is in the dust. 

There the wicked cease from troubling; and there 
the weary be at rest. 

There the prisoners rest together ; they hear not 
the voice of the oppressor. 

The small and great are there ; and the servant is 
free from his master. 

If a man die, shall he live again ? All the days of 
my appointed lime will I wait, till my change come. 

For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He 
shall stand at the latter day upon the earth : 

And though after my skin worms destroy this body, 
yet in my flesh shall I see God: 

Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall 
behold, and not another. 

UPON THE DEATH OF AN ACQUAINTANCE OR FRIEND. 

O God, whose days are without end, and whose 
mercies cannot be numbered ; make us, we beseech 
Thee, deeply sensible of the shortness and uncer- 
tainty of human life ; and let Thy Holy Spirit lead 
us through this vale of misery, in holiness and right- 
eousness all the days of our lives : that when we 
shall have served Thee in our generation, we may 
be gathered unto our fathers, having the testimony 
of a good conscience; in the communion of the 



45 

Catholic Church ; in the confidence of a certain faith ; 
in the comfort of a reasonable, religious, and holy- 
hope ; in favour with Thee our God, and in perfect 
charity with the world ; all which we ask through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

God is our hope and strength, a very present help 
in trouble. 

The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom 
then shall I fear ? The Lord is the strength of my 
life, of whom then shall I be afraid ? 

Though an host of men were laid against me, yet 
shall not my heart be afraid ; and though there rose 
up war against me, yet will I put my trust in Thee. 

O praise our God, ye people, and make the voice 
of His praise to be heard ; 

Who holdeth our soul in life, and surTereth not. 
our feet to slip. 

O love the Lord, all ye His saints ; for the Lord 
preserveth them that are faithful, and plenteously 
rewardeth the proud doer. 

Be strong, and He shall establish your heart, all ye 
that put your trust in the Lord. 

The Lord of hosts is with us ; the God of Jacob 
is our refuge. 

O Almighty God, the Creator and Governor of 
the universe, who hast so disposed all things as may 
best glorify Thy wisdom, serve the ends of Thy jus- 
tice, and magnify Thy mercy ; and who by secret 



46 

and undiscernible ways bringest good out of evil; 
we humbly beseech Thee to give us wisdom from 
above, that we may reverence Thee in Thy judg- 
ments, and adore Thy footsteps, which are in the 
great deep, and cannot be searched out. Teach us 
to submit to Thy providence in all things, to be con- 
tent in all the changes of our condition, to be tempe- 
rate in prosperity, meek, patient, and resigned in ad- 
versity, and to look through the cloud of darkness 
and trouble, for the light and consolation which Thou 
in Thy mercy vouchsafest to them that love Thee. 
And grant, that in all our afflictions we may fly unto 
Thee for succour and support ; that we may wait for 
deliverance in such times and manners as Thou hast 
reserved in Thine own power, and graciously dis- 
pensest according to Thine infinite wisdom and com- 
passion ; and that, in the mean time, doing our duty 
with an unwearied diligence and an undisturbed 
composure, our affections may be gradually weaned 
from the vanities and possessions of this world, and 
steadfastly fixed on that place where true joys are 
alone to be found, through Jesus Christ our Lord, 
Amen. 

Lord, Thou hast been our refuge, from one gene- 
ration to another. 

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever 
the earth and the world were made, Thou art God 
from everlasting, and world without end. 



47 

Thou turnest man to destruction ; again Thou 
sayest, Come again, ye children of men. 

For a thousand years in Thy sight are but as yes- 
terday, seeing that is past as a watch in the night. 

As soon as Thou scatterest them, they are even as 
asleep, and fade away suddenly like the grass. 

In the morning it is green, and groweth up ; but 
in the evening it is cut down, dried up, and withered. 

For we consume away in thy displeasure, and are 
afraid at Thy wrathful indignation. 

Thou hast set our misdeeds before Thee, and our 
secret sins in the light of Thy countenance. 

For when Thou art angry, all our days are gone ; 
we bring our years to an end, as it were a tale that 
is told. 

The days of our age are threescore years and ten ; 
and though men be so strong that they come to four- 
score years, yet is their strength then but labour and 
sorrow ; so soon passeth it away, and we are gone. 

But who regardcth the power of Thy wrath ? for 
even thereafter as a man feareth, so is Thy dis- 
pleasure. 

So teach us to n amber our days, that we may ap- 
ply our hearts unto wisdom. 

Almighty and merciful God, of whose only gift 
it cometh that Thy faithful people do unto Thee true 
and laudable service ; grant, we beseech Thee, that we 
may so faithfully serve Thee in this life, that we fail 
not finally to attain Thy heavenly promises. And 



48 

in order that we may more seriously apply our hearts 
unto wisdom, teach us, O Lord, from the daily spec- 
tacles of mortality around us, to see how frail and 
uncertain our own condition is. Grant that neither 
the splendour of anything that is great nor the con- 
ceit of anything that is good in us may withdraw 
our eyes from looking upon ourselves as sinful dust 
and ashes ; but that we may press forward to the 
prize of the high calling that is before us, with faith 
and patience, humility and meekness, mortification 
and self-denial, charity and constant perseverance to 
the end ; so that when we shall have served Thee 
in our generation, we may be gathered unto our 
fathers having the testimony of a good conscience} 
in the comm anion of the Catholic Church, in the 
confidence of a certain faith, in the comfort of a rea- 
sonable, religions, and holy hope, in favour with 
Thee, our God, and in perfect charity with the 
world ; all which we ask, through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye 
upon him while he is near. 

Hear ye, and give ear ; be not proud : for the 
Lord hath spoken. 

Give glory to the Lord your God, before he cause 
darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark 
mountains, and while ye look for light, he turn it into 
the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness. 

For man also knoweth not his time : as the fishes 



49 

that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are 
caught in the snare ; so are the sons of men snared 
in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them. 

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all 
thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor 
knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou 
goest. 

Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my 
last end be like his. 

Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead 
body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that 
dwell in dust : for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, 
and the earth shall cast out the dead. 

And they that be wise, shall shine as the bright- 
ness of the firmament ; and they that turn many to 
righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever. 

O God who knowest whereof we are made, and 
rememberest that we are but dust, look down with 
pity and compassion upon Thy servants, whose days 
pass away like a tale that is told, and as the remem- 
brance of a guest that tarrieth but a night. Suffer us 
not to walk in a vain show, nor to disquiet ourselves 
in vain ; but so teach us to number the days of our 
pilgrimage which are few and evil, as that we may 
apply our hearts unto wisdom. Give us Thy Holy 
Spirit to guide us in the ways of peace. Enable us 
to die daily unto sin and to live unto righteousness ; 
that being weaned from this world, our affections and 
conversation may be in heaven. And grant that 
14 



50 

when we shall have served Thee in our generation, 
and been gathered unto our fathers, our souls may 
rest in the bosom of Paradise, and our bodies be 
awakened and glorified at the resurrection of the just, 
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Boast not thyself of to-morrow ; for thou knowest 
not what a day may bring forth. 

For what is your life ? It is even a vapour, that 
appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 

All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn 
again unto dust. 

For we are strangers before Thee, and sojourners, 
as were all our fathers : our days on earth are as a 
shadow, and there is none abiding. 

They are passed away as the swift ships : as the 
eagle that hasteth to the prey. 

One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease 
and quiet: 

And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, 
and never eateth with pleasure. 

They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the 
worms shall cover them. 

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from 
henceforth : Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest 
from their labours ; and their works do follow them. 

But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abomina- 
ble, shall have their part in the lake which burnetii 
with fire and brimstone : which is the second death. 



51 

O God the protector of all them who put their 
trust in Thee, Let Thy Holy Spirit govern all our 
words and actions, our thoughts and designs, and 
enable us so truly to repent us of our sins, so care- 
fully to reform our errors, so diligently to watch over 
all our conduct, that we may never fail through negli- 
gence to obey Thy commandments, nor willingly 
transgress Thy holy laws. May it be the work of 
our lives and the joy of our hearts to serve and 
please Thee, that we may finally receive the reward 
of our labours and the end of our hopes, the salva- 
tion of our souls. Assist us, mercifully, in all the 
changes and chances of this mortal life. O be gra- 
cious unto us in the time of calamity and trouble, 
when the cloud is thick and the storm is great, and 
nature would sink under the visitations of Thy pro- 
vidence, without the support and comfort of Thy 
heavenly grace. Strengthen our faith in our sick- 
nesses and sorrows, our temptations and trials. And 
when the days of our pilgrimage are over, and the 
shadows are departed, grant that we may die in Thy 
fear and favour, and rest in a holy hope of our joy- 
ful resurrection, and the full and perfect consumma- 
tion of our bliss, both in body and soul, in Thy ever- 
lasting kingdom, through our Lord and Saviour 
Jesus Christ. Amen. 



Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and 
shall we not receive evil ? 



52 

The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away ; 
blessed be the name of the Lord. 

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, 
concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow 
not, even as others which have no hope. 

For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall 
be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and 
this mortal must put on immortality. 

So when this corruptible shall have put on incor- 
ruption, and this mortal shall have put on immor- 
tality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is 
written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 

O death, where is thy sting ? O grave, where is 
thy victory? 

The sting of death is sin ; and the strength of sin 
is the law. 

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory 
through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, 
unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the 
Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not 
in vain in the Lord. 

UPON THE DEATH OF A. RELATIVE OR FRIEND EMINENT 
FOR PIETY. 

Blessed Lord, in whose sight the death of Thy 
saints is precious, we magnify Thy name for Thine 
abundant goodness bestowed upon our departed 



53 

friend, by which he was enabled so cheerfully to fol- 
low the steps of his blessed Master in his meekness 
and patience, his gentleness and submission, his 
courage, and constancy, and great charity. We give 
Thee hearty thanks for the good example of this 
Thy servant, who, having finished his course in faith, 
doth now rest from his labours. And we beseech 
Thee, that we, with all those who are departed in the 
true faith of Thy holy name, may have our perfect 
consummation and bliss, both in body and soul, in 
Thy eternal and everlasting glory, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O God, whose will is the measure of holiness, and 
whose providence is the minister of mercy, binding 
all events together in order to Thy glory and the ad- 
vantage of Thy servants by a mysterious chain of 
wisdom and goodness ; let Thy will also be the mea- 
sure of our desires, and Thy providence in all the 
changes of life the ground of our submission. Thou 
hast made and hitherto sustained us. Thou hast 
blessed us with unmerited mercies all our days, and 
protected us amidst innumerable dangers. Thou 
hast relieved us in our calamities, and comforted us 
in our sorrows. In the remembrance then of Thy 
past goodness, may we repose with filial confidence 
on Thy love and favour for the time to come. And 
more especially, O £ord, we beseech Thee, that in 
the loss of our friends whom Thou hast guided in 
life bv Thy counsel, and blessed in death with Thy 
14* 



54 

peace and favour ; we may not murmur and repine, 
nor sorrow as others who are without hope. Thy 
counsels are secret, and Thy wisdom is infinite : 
with the same hand Thou hast crowned them, and 
smitten us. Praised be Thy name, O Lord, that. 
Thou didst call them to the knowledge of Thy truth, 
and sanctify them by Thy grace ; that Thou didst 
pour upon them the continual dew of Thy blessing, 
and preserve them in their way through all the im- 
pediments of their salvation. We give Thee thanks, 
O God, for all the graces and benefits which Thou 
didst bestow upon them in time, and hast reserved 
for them throughout eternity. And we beseech 
Thee, to join us so together with them in unity of 
spirit, that we, following their blessed steps in all 
virtuous and godly living, may cheerfully do Thy 
will on earth as they in heaven, and be made par- 
takers with them of those unutterable joys which 
Thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love 
Thee ; through the merits of Thy Son, Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, 
Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord 
from henceforth : Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may 
rest from their labours ; and their works do follow 
them. 

After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude which 
no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, 
and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and 



55 

before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and 
palms in their hands. 

And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to 
our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the 
Lamb. 

And all the angels stood round about the throne, 
and about the elders : and fell before the throne on 
their faces, and worshipped God, 

Saying, Amen : Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, 
and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and 
might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. 

And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, 
What are these which are arrayed in white robes ; 
and whence came they ? 

And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he 
said unto me, These are they which came out of 
great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and 
made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 

Therefore are they before the throne of God, and 
serve him day and night in his temple : and he that 
sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more ; 
neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne 
shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living foun- 
tains of waters : and God shall wipe away all tears 
from their eyes. 

And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, 
nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain : for 
the former things are passed away. 



56 

Almighty God, with whom do live the spirits of 
those who are departed in the true faith of Thy holy 
name, we humbly beseech Thee, that in the loss of 
our friends who have died in the Lord, we may not 
sorrow as others who are without hope. O may we 
realize, in some measure, the blessedness of their 
change. May we find a solace and support in the 
comfortable assurance, that through Thine only be- 
gotten Son Jesus Christ, who has overcome death, 
their vile bodies shall be changed and made like unto 
His own most glorious body ; that through the grave 
and gate of death they shall pass to their joyful resur- 
rection ; that they rest from their labours and then- 
works do follow them ; that delivered from the bur- 
then of the flesh, they have entered into the felicity 
of Thy chosen ; and that received into Paradise, they 
wait with the spirits of the just, in joyful expectation 
of their perfect consummation and bliss in Thy eter- 
nal and everlasting glory. Most thankfully, there- 
fore, do we praise Thee, for their gracious lives and 
deaths here, and for the glorious crowns with which 
they are recompensed in Thy kingdom ; beseeching 
Thee to give us grace so to follow their good exam- 
ples, that we, living and dying like them, may toge- 
ther with them be partakers also of Thy heavenly 
kingdom, and be numbered with these Thy holy 
ones in glory everlasting. Grant this, O Father, for 
the merits of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and 
Advocate. Amen. 



57 

O blessed Lord, we commend to Thy fatherly 
goodness, all those who are any ways afflicted in 
mind, body, or estate. Relieve the distressed, com- 
fort the sorrowful, protect the innocent, and awaken 
the guilty. Assist those who draw near the time of 
their dissolution, and so fit and prepare them, we be- 
seech Thee, against the hour of death, that after their 
departure hence, in peace and in Thy favour, their 
souls may be received into Thine everlasting king- 
dom. And we bless Thy holy name, for all Thy 
servants departed this life in Thy faith and fear, and 
more especially for those who were near and dear to 
us. We laud and magnify Thee for Thy great good- 
ness, in having given them a happy deliverance 
from the sins and sorrows of this miserable world, 
and we most humbly beseech Thee, that we may 
have grace to follow their good examples in stead- 
fastness of faith and godliness of life, that at the last 
day, we, with them, and they with us, may attain to 
the resurrection of the Just, and hear the joyful voice 
of our Lord, saying unto us, Come, ye blessed chil- 
dren of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for 
you from the foundation of the world ; grant this, O 
Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator 
and Advocate. Amen. 



Man that is born of a woman hath but a short time 
to live, and is full of misery. 

He cometh up and is cut down, like a flower. 



58 

For as soon as the wind goeth over it, it is gone, 
and the place thereof shall know it no more 

He fleeth as it were a shadow, and never continu- 
ed in one stay. 

But Thou, Lord, art God from everlasting and 
world without end. 

Thou hast been our refuge from one generation to 
another. The merciful goodness of the Lord endur- 
eth for ever and ever upon them that fear Him, and 
his righteousness upon children's children. 

Look graciously then, upon Thy servant, O Lord, 
for in Thee have I put my trust. 

I am feeble and sore smitten. 

I am brought into so great trouble and misery that 
I go mourning all the day long. 

If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved. 

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with Thine ears 
consider my calling. Hold not Thy peace at my 
tears. 

Thus saith the Lord, Refrain thy voice from weep- 
ing, and thine eyes from tears, for thy work shall be 
rewarded : and there is hope in thine end, that thy 
children shall come again to their own border. 

For the ransomed of the Lord shall return and 
come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon 
their heads ; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and 
sorrow and sighing shall flee away. 

Awake, and sing, ye that dwell in dust; for thy 
dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast 
out the dead. 



59 



FOR A FAMILY IN AFFLICTION UPON THE DEATH OF 
A CHILD- 

O eternal and merciful God, the just and right- 
eous Governor of the world, who orderest all things 
both in heaven and earth, teach us to submit to Thy 
will and adore Thy wisdom in all the dispensations 
of Thy providence. Let Thy promises and threaten- 
ings, Thy mercies and judgments, alike dispose us to 
holiness and obedience ; that in the time of prosperity 
we may rejoice in Thy goodness, and in the time of 
adversity consider the end of our afflictions. When 
Thou smitest, sanctify unto us Thy rod; and when 
Thou pressest heavily upon us, support us with Thy 
staff". Lord, open our understanding, that we may 
know the meaning of Thy voice when Thou speak- 
estfrom heaven in warnings and judgments. Let a 
holy fear so soften our spirits, and a devout love so 
sanctify our hearts, that apprehending the slightest 
intimation of Thy pleasure, we may with repentance 
go out to meet Thee, trusting in the gracious promise 
that Thine anger will endure but for a moment, and 
Thy mercy and loving-kindness for ever. In the 
daily instances of mortality around us, may we see 
how frail and uncertain our own condition is. Be- 
hold, O Lord, Thou hast made our days as it were a 
span long, and our age is even as nothing in respect 
of Thee ; and verily every man living is altogether 
vanity. Thou makest his beauty to consume away 
like a moth fretting a garment, or Thou bringest him 



60 

down suddenly to the grave in the fulness of his 
strength. For all flesh is as grass, and all the goodli- 
ness thereof is as the flower of the field. The grass 
withereth, the flower fadeth, but Thy word, O God, 
shall stand for ever. Teach us, then, O Lord, so to 
number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto 
wisdom. 

O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 
we more especially beseech Thee to look down with 
pity upon the sadness and sorrows of these Thy ser- 
vants. In Thy wisdom Thou hast seen fit to visit 
them with trouble, to take from them the pride of 
their eyes and the joy of their hearts. O Lord, suffer 
them not to sorrow as those who are without hope. 
Enable them to raise their thoughts above this trouble- 
some world, from which their child has departed, to 
the rest and bliss of which, we humbly hope, it is 
now a partaker in the kingdom of heaven. And in 
the keen sense of their bereavement, and the gradual 
dissolution of the ties which bind them to life, let 
their hearts be more steadfastly fixed on that place 
where true joys are alone to be found, and where 
sorrow and sighing are done away. Give them grace 
to look with a holy indifference upon the pleasures 
and pursuits, the interests and possessions of this 
world, and with a meek and submissive spirit upon 
its crosses and trials. 

And let it be the most anxious care of us all, O 
Lord, to serve and please Thee, and our greatest fear 
lest we should sin against Thee, and fail of Thy 



61 

lavour. Let our duty be our employment; let Thy 
law be our rule, Thy providence our portion, Thy 
Spirit our helper and guide ; that when the cloud of 
affliction is passed over we may see the brightness 
of Thy face, and perpetual showers of grace and 
mercy refreshing our sad and weary spirits : so when 
Thou shalt have saved our souls from death, our eyes 
from tears, and our feet from falling, we will sing 
eternal praises to the honour of Thy name, through 
Jesus Christ our Lord, who with Thee and the Holy 
Ghost, ever liveth and reigneth, one God, world 
without end. Amen. 



Remember, O Lord, what is come upon us ; con- 
sider and behold our sorrows. 

We are orphans, and fatherless ; our mothers are 
as widows. 

All joy hath ceased, and our dance is turned into 
mourning. 

The crown is fallen from our head ; our heart is 
faint, and our eyes are dim. 

Turn Thee unto us, and have mercy upon us; 
for we are desolate and in misery. 

The troubles of our heart are enlarged ; O relieve 
us in our distress, and comfort us in our troubles. 

In Thee the fatherless findeth mercy; and the 
widow a protection and defence. 

Leave Thy fatherless children, I will preserve them 
alive ; and let thy widows trust in me. 
15 



62 

Be Thou then our hope and strength ; a very pre- 
sent help in time of trouble. 

The Lord of hosts is with us ; ths God of Jacob is 
our refuge. 

UPON THE DEATH OF A HUSBAND AND FATHER. 

O eternal God and merciful Father, who art the 
refuge and hope, the guardian and protector of all 
who put their trust in Thee ; look graciously upon 
Thy servant whom Thou hast smitten and afflicted, 
and whom Thou alone canst heal. Thy hand presseth 
heavily upon her by reason of her weakness and in- 
firmities. O strengthen her by Thy grace. Send 
her help from above, and in the multitude of her sor- 
rows let Thy comforts refresh her soul. Open her 
eyes that she may see the gracious design of Thy 
visitations. Enable her to bear them with patience 
and resignation, and so to improve them to her soul's 
good, as to find that even in judgment there is mercy. 
May they deeply impress her mind with the uncer- 
tainty of our best earthly enjoyments, and make her 
more earnest and engaged in the pursuit of those 
which are durable and eternal. 

O Thou, who art the defender of the widows, sus- 
tain Thy servant in her sorrows, and help her in her 
duties. Let her sad state of widowhood be a state 
of repentance and holiness, of unfeigned piety and 
fervent devotion. Let her recall the negligences and 
offences of her past years in sorrow of soul. Let her 



63 

afflictions wean her from the world, and let her hope 
and her joy, her desires and her conversation, be in 
heaven. 

Thou, who art the Father of the fatherless, look 
graciously upon the children of this bereaved family. 
Spare them to be the comfort and solace of their 
mother, and fit and dispose her to bring them up in 
the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Be Thou 
their God and their Father, and let Thy providence 
be their protection, Thy service their employment, 
Thy angels their guards ; and so keep them by Thy 
preventing and restraining grace, that they may never 
fall into sin, but serve Thee faithfully here in their 
generation, and finally be made partakers of Thy 
heavenly kingdom. 

Great God of mercy, heal all the breaches of this 
family, preserve and increase its remaining comforts, 
and send down upon it the continual dew of Thy 
blessing. Hear us, O Lord, for the sake of our Ad- 
vocate and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

1 would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, 
concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not 
even as others which have no hope. 

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, 
even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring 
with him. 

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with 
a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the 
trump of God : and the dead in Christ shall rise first. 



64 

Then we which are alive and remain shall be 
caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet 
the Lord in the air : and so shall we ever be with the 
Lordi 

For the Lord Jesus Christ shall change our vile 
body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious 
body, according to the working whereby He is able 
even to subdue all things unto Himself. 

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, 
unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the 
Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not 
in vain in the Lord. 

And behold, I come quickly ; and my reward is 
with me, to give every man according as his work 
shall be. 

Hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take 
thy crown. 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, which, according to his abundant mercy, hath 
begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrec- 
tion of Jesus Christ from the dead, 

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undeiiled, and 
' that fadeth not away. 

PRAYERS UPON THE DEATH OP ANY RELATIVE OR 
FRIEND. 

O Almighty God, with whom do live the spirits 
of just men made perfect, grant to us Thy servants, 
that we may die unto sin and live unto righteousness ; 



t>5 

that when we shall have served Thee in our genera- 
tion, we may be gathered unto our fathers in peace, 
leaving a good name and a wholesome example be- 
hind us ; that being holy in our lives, we may be 
blessed in our death ; and that with all those who 
have departed in Thy faith and fear, we may be re- 
ceived into paradise, and rest in joyful hope of our 
perfect consummation and bliss in Thy eternal and 
glorious kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

O most blessed Saviour, who art the Resurrection 
and the Life, look graciously upon us Thy servants, 
whose days pass away like a tale that is told, and as 
the remembrance of a guest that tarrieth but a night. 
O suffer us not to walk in a vain show, nor to disquiet 
ourselves in vain ; but let Thy Holy Spirit lead us 
into the ways of righteousness and peace. Grant 
that our affections being weaned from this world, we 
may die daily, and that laying up a treasure of good 
works we may not dread the hour of our death, but 
be always ready for our departure ; and let our por- 
tion be with the charitable and merciful on the right 
hand of the Father, where Thou sittest and reignest 
in the glory of God for ever and ever. Amen. 

Almighty God, with whom do live the spirits of 

them that depart hence in the Lord, we adore Thy 

Majesty, and humbly submit to Thy will in all the 

dispensations of Thy providence. We magnify Thy 

15^ 



66 

mercy, that it hath pleased Thee to give a happy de- 
liverance to this our brother out of the troubles and 
miseries of this sinful world. Thy counsels are se- 
cret, and Thy wisdom is infinite : with the same hand 
Thou hast crowned him and smitten us. Thou hast 
taken him into regions of felicity, and placed him 
among the saints and angels, and left us to mourn 
for our sins and Thy displeasure. Lord, turn Thy 
anger into mercy, and Thy chastisements into the 
means of our spiritual improvement. And we hum- 
bly beseech Thee, of Thy goodness, O Lord, to unite 
our supplications with the earnest desires of those 
holy souls who pray, and wait, and long for Thy 
second coming. Accomplish Thou the number of 
Thy elect, and fill up the mansions in heaven which 
are prepared for all them that love the coming of the 
Lord Jesus ; that we, with all others departed this 
life in the true faith of Thy holy name, may have our 
perfect consummation and bliss in Thy everlasting 
kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, who is the first fruits of the resurrection from 
the dead, and who by entering into glory has open- 
ed the kingdom of heaven to all believers ; we hum- 
bly beseech Thee to raise us from the death of sin 
to the life of righteousness, that being partakers of 
the death of Christ and followers of His holy life, we 
may be partakers of His Spirit and His glorious pro- 
mises ; and that when we shall depart this life we 






67 

may rest in Him, as our hope is that this our brother 
doth. O suffer us not for any temptation of the world, 
or any snares of the devil, or any pains of death, to 
fall from Thee. Lord, let Thy Holy Spirit enable 
us with His grace to fight a good fight with perse- 
verance, to finish our course with holiness, and to 
keep the faith with constancy unto the end ; that at 
the day of judgment we may stand at the right hand 
of the throne of God, and hear the joyful sentence: 
Come, ye blessed children of my Father, receive the 
kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the 
world. Grant this, we beseech Thee, O merciful 
Father, through Jesus Christ our Mediator and Re- 
deemer. Amen. 

A PRAYER BEFORE THE COMMUNION. 

blessed Jesus, my gracious Saviour and Re- 
deemer, King of kings and Lord of lords, whom the 
angels look upon with wonder and worship with the 
deepest adoration ; what am I, O Lord, that Thou 
shouldest deign to dwell with me who am nothing 
but folly and infirmity, misery and sin, shame and 
death ! 

1 confess, O Lord, when I consider Thy purity 
and my uncleanness, thy glory and my shame, I 
tremble to approach Thy presence and to partake of 
the memorials of Thy body and blood. But though 
my sins have made a separation between me and my 
God, Thy love and Thy passion, Thy holiness and 



68 

obedience, have reconciled me to Him whom I have 
so grievously offended. O blessed Saviour, who for 
our sakes didst take upon Thee our affections and 
passions, our weaknesses and sufferings, who wert 
hungry after the temptation of the devil, weary and 
thirsty in Thy discourse with the woman of Samaria, 
who didst weep over Lazarus, wert exceeding sorrow- 
ful in the garden, and pouredst out Thy soul unto 
death for the transgressors, and who didst thus become 
unto us a merciful High Priest, touched with a feel- 
ing of our infirmities ; receive, I beseech Thee, Thy 
unworthy servant, weary and heavy-laden with his 
sins, accused by his own conscience, and polluted 
both in body and soul. I know that a thousand years 
of sorrow, the humiliation of the greatest penitent, 
the love of saints, and the purity of angels, are not 
sufficient to make me worthy that Thou shouldest 
enter under my roof, and that I should be strength- 
ened and refreshed with Thy body and blood. 

But what I cannot be of myself, do Thou gra- 
ciously make me. I come unto Thee wounded with 
my transgressions, for Thou art my physician ; arise 
then with healing in Thy wings. Thirsty and faint, 
as the hart longeth after the water brooks, so longeth 
my soul after Thee, O God, the eternal fountain, 
whence spring the waters of comfort and salvation. 
Heal my diseases, wash out my stains, and cleanse 
me from all pollution of flesh and spirit. O blessed 
Jesus, may this holy sacrament which is a memorial 
of Thy death, be unto me a savour of life. May it 



69 

purify my heart, strengthen my faith, enliven my 
hope, and increase my charity ; that being united 
with Thee in the closest bonds on earth, I may finally 
be a partaker of Thy glory and bliss in the kingdom 
of heaven, where Thou livest and reignest with the 
Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God world 
without end. Amen. 

A THANKSGIVING AFTER COMMUNION. 

O most merciful and gracious God, who hast sent 
Thy only begotten Son into the world to destroy the 
works of the devil, to redeem us from all iniquity, 
and to deliver us from the bitter pains of eternal 
death ; I humbly beseech Thee to sanctify and bless 
to me the memorials of the body and blood of Thy 
dear Son, which I have this day received, and to 
make me a fit habitation for His holy presence both 
now and for ever more. 

O blessed Saviour, I adore the secrets of Thy wis- 
dom and the depths of Thy mercy, in the awful mys- 
tery of my salvation. Grant that in the remembrance 
of Thine unspeakable love I may show forth my 
thankfulness, by conforming myself to Thy likeness 
in all things, in the imitation of Thy actions, in the 
fellowship of Thy sufferings, in the communion of 
Thy graces, and the participation of Thy glories ; 
that beginning here to praise Thy name for Thy 
mercies, I may magnify and adore Thee hereafter for 
ever and ever. 



70 

O Lamb of God, holy and spotless, who for our 
sakes wert pleased to endure shame and sorrow, to 
be brought before the tribunal of Thy creatures whom 
Thou shalt judge at the last day, to be maliciously 
accused, treacherously betrayed, unjustly condemned, 
suffering the severest torments which malice could 
devise or cruelty inflict ; enable me to see the base- 
ness and enormity of sin, in the sacrifice which Thou 
didst make for its full and perfect atonement. May 
I abhor and detest my sins which were the cause of 
Thy sufferings, and hereafter earnestly endeavour to 
shun and forsake them. Lord, what am I, that Thou 
shouldest be wounded for my transgressions, and 
that, with Thy stripes T should be healed ? I am un- 
worthy of the least of Thy mercies, and yet Thou 
hast shown unto me the greatest which man can 
conceive or God can bestow. 

Complete then Thy loving-kindness, and carry me 
safely through all the temptations and trials of this 
dangerous world. O holy and blessed Jesus, who 
didst look upon us with compassion lying in our sin 
and misery, and in the darkness of the shadow of 
death ; who didst bear our griefs and carry our sor- 
rows, that we might be partakers of Thy felicity ; 
let Thine eyes pity me, Thy hands support me, Thy 
holy feet tread down all the difficulties in my way to 
heaven. Let me be instructed with Thy wisdom, 
moved by Thy affections, directed by Thy will, and 
clothed with Thy righteousness, that in the great day 
of account, I may be found meet to partake of the 



71 

inheritance of Thy saints in light ; to whom with the 
Father and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory 
world without end. Amen. 



PRIVATE TRAYERS FOR THE SICK. 
A PRAYER TO BE SAID WHEN FIRST TAKEN ILL. 

O merciful God and Heavenly Father, who 
givest us life, and health, and all things, and recall- 
est them according to Thy good pleasure ; grant that 
I may behold Thy hand in everything that befalleth 
me. In all the afflictive dispensations of Thy provi- 
dence, may I strive to improve them to Thy glory 
and my own salvation. And now that sickness has 
taken hold of me I fly to Thy goodness for comfort, 
and to Thy Almighty power for succour and relief. 
O regard not my unworthiness, nor refuse to hear 
me when I call upon Thee. Give me grace to take 
the illness under which I am labouring as Thy hea- 
venly visitation, that I may both hearken to the rod 
and to him that has appointed it. May I bear Thy 
chastisement with patience and submission, and as 
it is a scourge for my sins, let it also be a cure for 
them. May I no more return to vanity and folly, 
nor indulge in anything which tends to Thy dis- 
honour and my own destruction. And if in Thy 
wisdom, Thou shouldest not see fit to restore me to 
health, but my sickness should be unto death ; O let 
me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end 



72 

be like his ! And grant that I may leave the world 
with a steadfast faith in Thy Son Jesus, with an un- 
feigned repentance for all the errors of my life past, 
with a holy indifference to all temporal things, and a 
cheerful resignation of my soul into Thy hands, as 
into the hands of my merciful Creator, through the 
merits and mediation of my Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ. Amen. 

ANOTHER. 

O gracious and merciful God, who in Thy justice 
didst send sorrow and tears, sickness and death, into 
the world as a punishment for man's transgression, 
and hast concluded all under sin, not to destroy u% 
but that Thou mightest have mercy upon all, mak- 
ing Thy justice to minister to mercy, and the light 
afflictions of this life to an eternal weight of glory ; 
as Thou, hast visited me for my sins with sickness 
and trouble, so make these trials the happy occasion 
of my growth in grace in this life and the increase 
of my glory in the world to come. And as Thou 
hast thus called me to a fellowship with Thy dear 
Son, who was made perfect through suffering, grant 
that I may be brought nearer to him and Thyself in 
holiness, purity, and love. Sanctify to me all the 
changing circumstances of my sickness, relieve my 
pains, and support me in dejection and distress. 
Enable me to behave myself with humility and sor- 
row, with submissiveness and patience, as a child 
under the discipline of a father, that if I shall be re- 



73 

stored to health of body and vigour of mind, I may 
return to the world with fresh strength for the race 
which is set before me, and finish my course with 
joy ; or if I pass from hence through the gate of 
death, I may be mercifully received into the bosom 
of my Lord, to reign with him in glory and bliss for 
ever and ever. Grant this, O heavenly Father, for 
the sake of our Advocate and Redeemer, Jesus 
Christ. Amen. 

A PRAYER FOR PATIENCE. 

Righteous art Thou, O Lord, in all the pains and 
sorrows which Thou hast brought upon me for the 
punishment of my sins, and the trial of my patience. 
I receive my sickness with humility as Thy Fatherly 
chastisement. Correct me, O Lord, but not in Thine 
anger, lest Thou bring me to nothing. Let me be 
judged for my sins here, that I may have nothing but 
mercy without judgment from Thine hands hereafter. 
I lament and bewail my transgressions in bitterness 
of soul. Accept, I beseech Thee, my unfeigned repent- 
ance, blot out all my misdeeds, and refresh me with 
the grace and comfort of Thy Holy Spirit. But, O 
Lord, I beseech Thee, not only to give me pardon 
for my offences, but strength and patience in my suf- 
ferings and trials. Support me in the weakness of 
my body, guard me in the temptations which assault 
my soul, deal out my sorrows with tenderness, and 
turn them all to my good and comfort in the end. 
16 



74 

And since I rest upon Thee as my rock and my stay, 
let me not sink under Thy visitation into dejection 
and sadness, nor imagine my distress greater than»I 
can bear. Let Thy strength be made perfect in my 
weakness. Let no rebellious thoughts nor unholy 
murmurings arise within me, but give me a submis- 
sive and resigned, a patient and humble spirit, whilst 
I live, and be my blessed portion when I die, through 
the merits and mediation of my Lord and Saviour 
Jesus Christ. Amen. 

ANOTHER. 

O most blessed and glorious Saviour, who didst 
suffer with meekness and patience those stripes with 
which we were healed, and who hast made the way 
of the cross to be the way of heaven, enable me, I 
beseech Thee, to bear the affliction which Thou hast 
laid on me with a calm and willing mind. I know 
that Thou art as gracious when Thou smitest us for 
trial and amendment, as when Thou relievest us in 
compassion to our infirmities. But though my spi- 
rit is willing, my flesh is weak. O Lord Jesus, I am 
unable of myself to stand under the cross. But Thou 
who didst feel the burthen of it, who didst sink under 
it for a moment, but afterwards triumph over it for 
ever, making it a perpetual sign of our deliverance 
from sin and death ; fortify my spirit under the 
weight of my sufferings. Refresh me by Thy grace 
when I am ready to faint, and lift me up when I fall 



75 

Sanctify my sickness to me, support me in my weari- 
ness, calm me in my fears, and comfort me in my 
sorrows. Let me never in my rashness charge Thee 
foolishly, nor offend Thee by my impatience. Let 
me neither secretly murmur against Thy dispensa- 
tions, nor weaken the hands and hearts of those who 
charitably minister to my needs. Make Thou all my 
bed in my sickness, and deliver me not into the will 
of my enemies, but let me pass through this vale of 
misery and tears with a meek and quiet spirit, and a 
grateful sense of Thy mercies and merits, O blessed 
Lord, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever 
livest and reignest one God, world without end. 
Amen. 

A PRAYER FOR REPENTANCE AND PARDON. 

O almighty God and most merciful Father, who 
delightest not in the death of a sinner, but rather that 
he should turn from his wickedness and live, give 
unto me Thy unworthy servant a deep contrition for 
all my offences, and strength to forsake them, grace 
to fear Thee and grace to love Thee, power to serve 
Thee, and time and inclination to finish the work 
Thou hast given me to do ; that being washed in 
the blood of Thy Son, sanctified by Thy Soirit, and 
saved by Thy mercy, I may here rejoice in hope, 
and hereafter sing eternal praises to the honour of 
Thy name, through my Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ. Amen. 



76 



ANOTHER. 



O most glorious and blessed Saviour, who alone 
hast power to forgive sin, to rescue us from its domi- 
nion, and to deliver us from the wrath of God, be 
gracious to me a miserable offender, who confess 
Thy justice in my sufferings, and implore Thy mercy 
in the pardon and forgiveness of all my transgres- 
sions. Remember not the follies of my childhood, 
nor the vanities of my youth, (the remissness and 
guilt of my riper years, nor my hardness of heart and 
contempt of Thy word even in the infirmities of age.) 
Remember not the sins of my tongue, nor the out- 
breaks of my wrath, the unlawfulness of my desires, 
nor the wickedness of my deeds. Contend no longer 
with a miserable wretch, who acknowledges his 
guilt, and earnestly begs for the remission of his 
sins. Thou hast glorified Thyself in all generations 
of the world, by giving pardon to the penitent, and 
ease lo the afflicted, comfort to the comfortless, and 
refreshment to the weary. Behold, O Lord, the sor- 
rows of Thy servant, .and do away mine offences. 
By Thy manifold mercies and Thine infinite merits, 
by Thine agony and bloody sweat, by Thy strong 
crying and tears, by Thy bitter cross and passion, 
by Thy mighty resurrection, Thy glorious ascension, 
and T^y effectual intercession and mediation, hear 
me, O Lord, and have mercy upon me. And how- 
ever Thou shalt see fit to deal with me here, vouch- 
safe at last unto my body a part in the resurrection 



77 

of the Tust, and unto my soul the estate of joy, hap. 
piness, and immortality with all Thy blessed saints 
in Thy heavenly kingdom, through Thine own pre- 
vailing merits, O Lord, who livest and reignest with 
the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God world 
without end. Amen. 



O gracious God, who despisest not the sighing 
of a contrite heart, nor the desire of such as are sor- 
rowful ; I fly unto Thee for mercy and forgiveness. 
My sins are so great ; so numerous ; so intolerable ; 
that in the sad and painful remembrance of them, I 
am covered with humiliation and shame. Thy hand 
lieth heavy on me, but my punishment is less than I 
deserve. It is because Thy compassions fail not, 
that I am still kept from feeling all the severity of 
Thy Judgments. It is of Thy mercy alone, lhat in 
the disease with which Thou hast afflicted me, Thou 
hast kept me from the distress of a disordered mind ; 
that I am still capable of receiving the correction, the 
reproof, and the consolations of Thy holy Word ; that 
I am relieved in my sufferings, by the sympathy of 
kind friends, and comforted in my sorrows by the 
prayers of Thy ministering servants ; that I am sup- 
ported by faith in Thy gospel, and trust in Thy pro- 
mises. It is of Thy mercy alone that I have not 
been summoned to give an account of my steward- 
ship in the midst of my negligence and sins ; that 
16* 



78 

time is still granted to me to work out my salvation ; 
and that there is yet encouragement to hope for the 
restoration of my health, and to expect Thy loving- 
kindness in the land of the living. And now, O 
God, since Thou hast dealt so graciously with Thy 
servant, in not exacting from me what Thou mightest 
have strictly claimed, and hast turned from me those 
evils which I have most justly deserved ; complete 
and crown Thy mercy to me, and make my present 
sufferings, I beseech Thee, instrumental to Thy 
glory and my salvation. May they be the means of 
quickening my repentance, amending my life, puri- 
fying my heart, and humbling my mind ; that being 
tried in the fire of tribulation, I may come forth a 
vessel of honour, acceptable in Thy sight, through 
the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ Thy Son 
our Lord. Amen. 

ANOTHER. 

Most gracious God, who art infinitely wise and 
infinitely merciful, who orderest all things well, and 
delightest to bring good out of evil ; behold Thy ser- 
vant, O Lord, bowing submissively to Thy will, and 
do unto me what seemeth good in Thy sight. But 
Thou knowest, that though the spirit be willing the 
flesh is weak. Give me patience and firmness then 
in my sufferings, however grievous to be borne, that 
I may neither openly complain, nor secretly murmur 
at Thy fatherly chastisement; that I may not be 



79 

hasty in arraigning Thy providence, in the day of 
my calamity, but with a meek and quiet spirit wait 
calmly for the event of Thy dealings with me, what- 
ever they may be. But make no long tarrying, O 
Lord, in the relief which I need ; make haste to help 
me, O God of my salvation ; and in the darkness 
and gloom with which I am encompassed, give me 
a light from heaven, that with the eye of faith I may 
see beyond the cloud, and look for those comforts 
and supports which Thou hast prepared for them 
who love Thee, and who have laid up all their hopes 
in Thy paternal bosom. 

Thou hast said, O God, I will never leave Thee 
nor forsake Thee. Thy word is truth; for Thou 
hast given me an assurance of the fulfilment of Thy 
promises, in the mercies which I have already re- 
ceived at Thy hands. Thou hast often relieved me 
in my distresses, supported my spirits in the days of 
my sorrow, allowed me intervals of ease in suffering 
and pain, revived me after wakefulness and weari- 
ness, with sweet and refreshing repose, and, in many 
ways, altogether unmerited, hast renewed Thy lov- 
ing-kindness to me day by day. In the remem- 
brance, then, of Thy past mercies, I am encouraged 
to hope that Thy comforts will refresh my soul in 
the time to come ; that Thy mercies will support me 
under my afflictions ; that Thy Spirit will help me 
in my infirmities ; that Thy providence will deliver 
me out of my troubles, or Thy grace will sanctify 
them and make them work together for my 



90 

good, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 
Amen. 



FOR A BLESSING ON THE .MEANS WHICH MAY BE USED 
FOR RECOVERY. 

O Father of mercies and God of all consolation, 
our only help in time of need, I humbly beseech 
Thee, to look upon me Thy unworthy servant with 
mercy and favour, here lying under Thy hand in 
great weakness of body. Lay no more upon me 
than Thou wilt enable me to bear. Consider my 
weakness, and proportion my trials to my strength, 
that I may endure them with patience and resigna- 
tion to Thy blessed will. Hear my complaints, and 
remove the cause of them, as shall seem to Thee 
most expedient for me. Give Thy blessing to the 
means which may be used for my recovery. And 
since Thou alone canst effectually remove my mala- 
dies, and skill, medicine, and attention are only in- 
struments in Thy hands that work according to Thy 
good pleasure, speak the word, O Lord, and Thy 
servant shall be healed. But if Thou shouldest not 
see fit to hearken unto my prayer, fit me for whatever 
in Thy wise providence Thou shalt order for me. 
Give me ease and comfort in my sufferings, or firm- 
ness and strength when my heart and my flesh are 
ready to fail. Guide me with Thy counsel, and 
after that receive me with glory, through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 



81 



ANOTHER. 



O most blessed and glorious Saviour, the great 
Physician of our souls, the Sun of Righteousness 
arising with healing in Thy wings, who when Thou 
didst appear among men went about doing good, 
and healing all manner of disease, and to whom now 
that Thou hast ascended on high all power is given 
both in heaven and earth ; look graciously upon Thy 
servant, here lying in great weakness and suffering 
under Thy chastening hand. O let the design of 
Thy visitation be accomplished in the sanctification 
of my soul. And if it seem good unto Thee, O 
Lord, be pleased also to bless the ministry of Thy 
servant my physician, in the means which he may 
use for the health of my body. Direct his judgment 
in the treatment of the disease, give efficacy to the 
medicines which he may prescribe, and so dispose all 
the changing circumstances of my sickness, that I 
may perceive and feel the blessing and loving-kind- 
ness of the Lord, in the relief of my pain and the re- 
covery of my health ; that being restored to the so- 
ciety of the living and to the assemblies of the saints, 
I may praise Thee for Thy goodness among the 
faithful in the outer courts of the Lord, and hereafter 
in Thy heavenly Temple, for ever and ever. Amen. 

UPON THE APPEARANCE OF RECOVERY. 

Almighty and everlasting God, from whom are 
the issues of life and death, who killest and makest 



82 

alive, who bringest down to the grave and bringest 
back again ; receive the offering of Thy humble ser- 
vant, who with a grateful heart return unto Thee my 
unfeigned thanks for the relief of my sufferings, and 
the abatement of my disease. I praise Thee for the 
happy consequences of Thy seasonable correction to 
me, in putting me in mind of my frailty and mor- 
tality, in weaning my affections from this vain and 
transitory world, and in exciting me to a more dili- 
gent preparation for that which is to come. Blessed 
be Thy name that Thou didst not cut me off imme- 
diately, without warning, in the midst of my sins, 
but that Thou hast now in appearance allowed me a 
longer space for reflection and repentance, and hast 
given me hopes of bringing my holy resolutions to 
good effect. May it seem good in Thy sight, O 
Lord, to perfect the recovery which Thou hast begun 
in me, and to grant me a longer continuance on 
earth, not for the gratification of my worldly incli- 
nations and sensual desires, but that I may redeem 
the time which I have hitherto misspent, that I may 
pass the residue of my days in Thy love and fear, 
and more effectually advance Thy honour and glory, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

A THANKSGIVING AFTER RECOVERY FROM SICKNESS. 

Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within 
me praise his holy name. 



83 

Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his 
benefits. 

Who forgiveth all thy sins, and healeth all thine 
infirmities. 

Who saveth thy life from destruction, and crown- 
eth thee with mercy and loving-kindness. 

Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, mak- 
ing thee young and lusty as an eagle. 

Who can express the noble acts of the Lord, or 
show forth all his praise ? 

For his arrows stuck fast in me, and his hand 
pressed me sore. 

There was no health in my flesh because of his 
displeasure, neither was there any rest in my bones, 
by reason of my sin. 

My soul abhorred all manner of meat, and I was 
even hard at death's door. 

Then cried I unto the Lord, and gat me ip my 
Lord right humbly. ■ 

I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst 
of mine age ; as for thy years they endure throughout 
all generations. % 

For what profit is there in my blood when I go 
down to the pit ? 

Hear my prayer then, O Lord, and with Thine ears 
consider my calling; hold not Thy peace at my tears. 

O spare me a little that I may recover my strength, 
before I go hence and be no more seen. 

So when I cried unto the Lord in my trouble He 
delivered me out of my distress. 



84 

He sent his word and healed me, and I was saved 
from destruction. 

O what great troubles and adversities hast Thou 
showed me, and yet didst Thou turn and quicken 
me, yea, and broughtest me from the deep of the 
earth again. 

Therefore, will I praise Thee and Thy faithful- 
ness, O God ; I will offer unto my God thanksgiving, 
and pay my vows unto the Most High. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the 
Holy Ghost. 

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall 
be, world without end. Amen. 

O most mighty God and merciful Father, wonder- 
ful in Thy doings, and gracious in Thy dispensa- 
tions towards the children of men, I, Thy unworthy 
servant, prostrate myself before Thee, with all hu- 
mility and thankfulness, acknowledging that it is of 
Thy goodness alone I am not consumed. Thou, 
Lord, hast chastened and corrected me, but Thou 
hast not given me over unto death. Blessed be Thy 
name, that while in Thy wisdom Thou didst see fit 
to afflict me, Thou didst not suffer me to perish in 
my sins. Blessed be Thy name, that in the midst 
of wrath Thou didst remember mercy; that Thou 
madest all my bed in my sickness ; that Thou didst 
overlook my fretfulness, impatience, and infirmities, 
and incline Thine ear to my prayers ; that Thou 
didst dispose me to thoughtfulness and repentance, 
and comfort me by Thy Spirit in my anguish and 



85 

distress. But, above all, I praise and magnify Thee 
for Thine unspeakable goodness in sparing me when 
I had deserved to be cut off, and in giving me 
an opportunity to fulfil those holy resolutions which 
Thy grace inspired in the time of my trouble. Lord, 
let the sense of Thy love never die away in my 
mind, nor my thoughts and affections be turned again 
unto vanity and sin. But let the remainder of my 
life be spent in the faithful discharge of all my duties, 
and the constant promotion of Thy honour and 
praise. Sanctify, I beseech Thee, all the events of 
Thy providence, to the salvation of my soul. Let 
not the abuse of Thy mercies ever rise up in Judg- 
ment against me, but grant that my past sufferings 
may increase my humility, confirm my faith, and fill 
me with resignation to Thy blessed will. Bring 
back to my remembrance the supplications poured 
out in the bitterness of my soul, and enable me to 
fulfil my promises and vows. Open Thou my lips, 
O Lord, that my mouth may declare Thy mercy and 
truth as long as I live, and that I may praise Thy 
name while I have my being. And forasmuch as 
this recovery is only lengthening out for a time the 
brief span of my life, suffer me not, I beseech Thee, 
to forget that I am a stranger upon the earth, but so 
help me to disengage my heart from things below, 
that my thoughts, my affections, and hopes, may be 
surely fixed on that place where true Joys are alone 
to be found, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
17 



86 



WHEN THERE IS NO HOPE OF RECOVERY. 

O God, whose days are without end and whose 
mercies cannot be numbered, now that I am hasten- 
ing to the end of my life, give me steadfast faith in 
Thy Son Jesus, and unfeigned repentance for all 
my sins, that my pardon may be sealed in heaven 
before I go hence and be no more seen. Let me 
come to my great change without guilt, and foresee 
its approaches without impatience or fear. May I 
always be ready with humble confidence in Thy 
mercy for the hour of my departure. May I be ena- 
bled to fight the good fight of faith with constancy, 
and to finish my course with joy. May I never sleep 
in carelessness and sin, nor lie down in misery and 
sorrow. And since I am now summoned to meet 
the Bridegroom, dress me, O Lord, in a wedding 
garment, that I may be fit to appear in Thy train. 
Give me oil in my lamp, that it may burn with per- 
petual brightness, and that when the door opens I 
may be ready to enter in with Thee at whatever hour 
Thou shalt come. Strip my soul of all earthly affec- 
tions before it take its flight from my body, that it 
may be a meet companion for the spirits of just men 
made perfect in that blessed rest which Thou hast 
reserved for Thy chosen in paradise, and bring me 
finally to my perfect consummation and bliss both in 
body and soul in the everlasting glory of Thy heavenly 
kingdom ; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, 
Amen. 



87 



AGAINST THE FEAR OF DEATH. 

O most gracious and merciful Father, grant that I 
may be always ready to obey Thy summons, and be 
willing to depart and be with Christ, whenever Thou 
shalt see fit to call me hence. Forgive me all my 
sins which are the sting of death, and prepare me to 
meet it with firmness and composure, and enable me 
to regard it as a happy release from all the weaknesses 
and sorrows, the troubles and trials of this mortal life. 
Let not my spirit be broken with the apprehensions 
of dying under Thy heavy displeasure, but make me 
to rejoice in the sense of Thy pardoning mercy here, 
and the promise of Thy everlasting favour in the 
world to come. And give me an unwavering faith 
and a comfortable hope in the full and perfect sacri- 
fice which was made on the cross for the atonement 
of sin, and grant that I may pass through the grave 
and gate of death to my joyful resurrection, for His 
merits who died and was buried and rose again for 
us, Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

ANOTHER. 

O holy and eternal God, who for the sin of man 
didst send death into the world, and by the resurrec- 
tion of Thy blessed Son didst bring life to all believ- 
ers ; have mercy upon me whom Thou hast smitten 
with Thy rod and brought into the valley of tears and 
the shadow of death. O blessed Lord, let not this 
season, so fearful to nature, and so awful to the im- 



88 

penitent, have any terrors for me. Look upon me as 
a sinner whom Thou hast pardoned, and as a prodi- 
gal son whom Thou hast restored to Thy favour. 
Take from me the fear, and if it be Thy blessed will 
take from me also the sentence of death. Preserve 
my life and restore my health if it be best for me, for 
to Thy power I submit, on Thy goodness I depend, 
by Thy wisdom may I be governed, and by Thy love 
may I be directed in my choice. But if Thou hast 
otherwise decreed, O grant to Thy servant the com- 
fort of a holy hope, the strength of an unconquerable 
faith, the constancy of an immovable patience, and 
the meekness of a perfect resignation, that I may be 
able to say with the apostle, " to me to live is Christ, 
and to die is gain." Grant this, O Lord, for Jesus' 
sake, my Advocate and Redeemer. Amen. 

TO BE USED BY A DYING PERSON, FOR HIS RELATIONS 
AND FRIENDS. 

Unto Thee, O God of mercy and truth, I commit 
all my relations and friends, and more especially my 
wife and children, to whom I am bound by the ten- 
derest ties. O Thou who art the Father of the father- 
less, and pleadest the cause of the widow, provide 
for them according to all their temptations and all 
their wants. Leave them not, neither forsake them, 
O God of my salvation. Be Thou to, them when I 
am gone, whatsoever I would have been, and more 
than I could have been, had I been spared to them. 



89 

Enable them evermore to love Thee with all their 
heart, and soul, and strength, and to put their whole 
trust and confidence in Thy mercy ; and keep them 
from all the pollutions and dangers of this miserable 
world, which call louder to Thee for Thy succour 
and protection than all their wants. Train them up 
in Thy fear, preserve them from all evil, and bring 
them at last to the joys and blessedness of the world 
to come, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

A PRAYER WHEN DEATH DRAWETH NEAR. 

Polluted, O Lord, with sins, and devoid of all 
claims to Thy mercy, I, nevertheless, in the hour of 
my need most earnestly implore it. Cast not from 
Thy presence a miserable wretch, unworthy to ap- 
proach it. Place me not on Thy left hand for the 
sentence of condemnation, whom Thou didst fashion 
with Thine own hands to minister to Thy glory ; but 
for Thy mercies' sake blot out my sins, and give rest 
to my soul. 

When Thou shalt come, O gracious Redeemer, in 
glorious Majesty to judge the world, may I meet 
Thee in the clouds without dismay. While others, 
who have been dead in trespasses and sins, unrepent- 
ed of and unforgiven, stand with fear and trembling 
before Thy judgment seat, waiting for the sentence 
of Thy displeasure ; enable me, O blessed Saviour, 
to lift up my head with joy. 

I praise Thee, O Lord, that in the midst of my im- 
17* 



90 

perfections and faults Thou hast still inspired me 
with faith and hope ; that Thou hast considered my 
low estate and had pity on my sorrows ; that Thou 
hast not shut me up in the hands of my enemies, nor 
made my foes to rej oice over me. But now especially 
let Thy right hand protect me, and let Thy mercy 
come upon me ; for my soul is in trouble and an- 
guish in the immediate apprehension of its departure 
from the body. O look not upon the stains which 
defile it, but wash it from all pollution and let it be 
precious in Thy sight. Let the enemy have no ad- 
vantage of me, nor the wicked approach to hurt me. 
Pardon all my sins and bury them in Thy grave, 
that they may never rise up in judgment against me, 
nor bring me to shame and confusion of face. And 
whenever Thou shalt call my soul from the prison of 
the body, grant that it may be presented pure and 
without spot before Thee, through Thy merits, O 
Lord, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost ever 
livest and reignest, one God, world without end. 
Amen. 

EJACULATIONS IN THE LAST AGONY. 

Lord, whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there 
is none upon earth that I desire in comparison of Thee. 

And yet, in this awful hour fearfulness and trem- 
bling are come, upon me, and a horrible dread hath 
overwhelmed me. 

Lift up the light of Thy countenance upon me, and 
grant that the bitterness of death may soon be past 



91 

My flesh and my heart faileth ; but O be Thou the 
strength of my heart and my portion for ever. 

Guide me by Thy counsel, defend me by Thy 
grace, and in Thy own good time receive me to glory. 

I am Thine, O save me ; I am bought with a 
price, O Jesus, even with Thy own most precious 
blood, and none is able to pluck me from Thy hand. 

Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have 
mercy upon me. Thou that takest away the sins of 
the world, receive my prayer. Thou that sittest at 
the right hand of God, have mercy upon me. 

O holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver me not 
into the bitter pains of eternal death. 

Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of my heart ; shut 
not Thy merciful ears to my prayers, but spare me, 
Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and 
merciful Saviour, Thou most worthy Judge eternal, 
suffer me not at my last hour for any pains of death 
to fall from Thee. 

Thou knowest whereof we are made, and remem- 
berest that we are but dust. Look graciously there- 
fore upon my weakness, pity the interruptions and 
imperfections of my prayers, pardon what I cannot 
do with steadiness and zeal, and accept the sincerity 
and devotion of my heart. 

Unto Thee do I commit my soul, as into the hands 
of a faithful Creator and most merciful Redeemer. 
Spare it, O God, in the day when Thou shalt discern 
between him that serveth and trusteth in Thee, and 
him that despiseth Thy word. 



92 

In the hour of death, and in the day of judgment, 
good Lord deliver me. 

Help Thy servant whom Thou hast mercifully re- 
deemed, and make me to be numbered with Thy 
saints in glory everlasting. 

Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 

Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. 



THE ORDER 

fox trje faisitation of tlje 0icK.* 

When any Person is sick, notice shall be given thereof to the Minister 
of the Parish ; who coming into the sick Person's House, shall say, 

Peace be to this House, and to all that dwell in it. 

When he cometh into the sick Man's presence, he shall say, kneel- 
ing down, 

Remember not, Lord, our iniquities, nor the iniqui- 
ties of our forefathers ; spare us, good Lord, spare 
Thy people, whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy 
most precious blood ; and be not angry with us for 
ever. 

Arts. Spare us, good Lord. 

Then the Minister shall say, 
Let us pray. 
Lord, have mercy upon us, 
* From the Liturgy. 



93 

Christ, have mercy upon us. 
Lord, have mercy upon us. 

Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy 
Name ; Thy kingdom come ; Thy Will be done on 
Earth, as it is in Heaven ; Give us this day our 
daily bread ; And forgive us our trespasses, as we 
forgive those who trespass against us ; And lead us 
not into temptation ; But deliver us from evil. Amen. 

Min. O Lord, save Thy servant ; 

Ans. Who puttelh his trust in Thee. 

Min. Send him help from Thy holy place ; 

Ans. And evermore mightily defend him. 

Min. Let the enemy have no advantage of him ; 

Ans. Nor the wicked approach to hurt him. 

Min. Be unto him, O Lord, a strong tower. 

Ans. From the face of his enemy. 

Min. O Lord, hear our prayer. 

Ans. And let our cry come unto Thee. 

Minister. 

O Lord, look down from heaven, behold, visit, 
and relieve this Thy servant. Look upon him with 
the eyes of Thy mercy ; give him comfort and sure 
confidence in Thee ; defend him from the danger of 
the enemy ; and keep him in perpetual peace and 
safety, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Hear us, Almighty and most merciful God and 
Saviour; extend Thy accustomed goodness to this 
Thy servant, who is grieved with sickness. Sanctify, 



94 

we beseech Thee, this Thy fatherly correction to him , 
that the sense of his weakness may add strength to 
his faith, and seriousness to his repentance : That if 
it shall be Thy good pleasure to restore him to his 
former health, he may lead the residue of his life in 
Thy fear, and to Thy glory : Or else give him grace 
so to take Thy visitation, that after this painful life 
ended, he may dwell with Thee in life everlasting, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Then shall the Minister exhort the sick Person after this form, or 
other like. 

Dearly beloved, know this, that Almighty God is 
the Lord of life and death, and of all things to them 
pertaining ; as youth, strength, health, age, weak- 
ness, and sickness. Wherefore, whatsoever your 
sickness be, know you certainly that it is God's visi- 
tation. And for what cause soever this sickness be 
sent unto you ; whether it be to try your patience for 
the example of others, and that your faith may be 
found, in the. day of the Lord, laudable, glorious, and 
honourable, to the increase of glory and endless 
felicity : or else it be sent unto you to correct and 
amend in you whatsoever doth offend the eyes of 
your heavenly Father, know you certainly, that if 
you truly repent you of your sins, and bear your 
sickness patiently, trusting in God's mercy, for his 
dear Son Jesus Christ's sake, and render unto him 
humble thanks for his Fatherly visitation, submitting 
yourself wholly unto his will, it shall turn to your 



95 

profit, and help you forward in the right way that 
leadeth unto everlasting life. 

If the Person visited be very sick, then the Minister may end his 
Exhortation in this Place, or else proceed : 

Take therefore in good part the chastisement of 
the Lord ; for as Saint Paul saith, in the twelfth 
chapter to the Hebrews, Whom the Lord loveth he 
chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he re- 
ceiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with 
you as with sons : for what son is he whom the Fa- 
ther chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastise- 
ment, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, 
and not sons. Furthermore, we have had fathers of 
our flesh, which corrected us, and we gave them re- 
verence : Shall we not much rather be in subjection 
unto the Father of Spirits, and live ? For they verily 
for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure ; 
but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of 
his holiness. These words, good brother, arc written 
in holy Scripture for our comfort and instruction ; 
that we should patiently and with thanksgiving, bear 
our heavenly Father's correction, whensoever, by any 
manner of adversity, it shall please his gracious 
goodness to visit us. Arid there should be no great- 
er comfort to Christian persons, than to be made like 
unto Christ, by suffering patiently adversities, trou- 
bles, and sicknesses. For he himself went not up to 
joy, but first he suffered pain : He entered not into 
his glory before he was crucified. So truly our way 



96 

to eternal joy, is to suffer here with Christ ; and our 
door to enter into eternal life, is gladly to die with 
Christ ; that we may rise again from death, and 
dwell with him in everlasting life. Now, therefore, 
taking your sickness, which is thus profitable for you, 
patiently, I exhort you in the name of God, to re- 
member the profession which you made unto God in 
your baptism. And forasmuch as after this life there 
is an account to be given unto the righteous Judge, 
by whom all must be judged, without respect of per- 
sons ; I require you to examine yourself, and your 
estate both toward God and man ; so that, accusing 
and condemning yourself for your own faults, you 
may find mercy at our heavenly Father's hand for 
Christ's sake, and not be accused and condemned in 
that fearful judgment. Therefore I shall rehearse to 
you the Articles of our Faith ; that you may know whe- 
ther you do believe as a Christian man should, or no. 

Here the Minister shall rehearse the Articles of the Faith, saying 
thus : 

Dost thou believe in God the Father Almighty, 
Maker of heaven and earth ? 

And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son our 
Lord ? And that he was conceived by the Holy 
Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary ; that he suffered 
under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried ; 
that he went down into hell, and also did rise again 
the third day ; that he ascended into heaven, and sit- 
teth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty ', 



97 

and from thence shall come again at the end of the 
world, to judge the quick and the dead? 

And dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost; The 
holy Catholic Church ; The Communion of Saints; 
The Remission of sins ; The Resurrection of the 
flesh ; and everlasting life after death ? 

The sick Person shall answer, 

All this I steadfastly believe. 

Then shall the Minister examine, whether he repent him tiuly of 
his sins, and be in charity with all the world ; exhorting him to 
forgive from the bottom of his heart, all persons that have offended 
him : and if he hath offended any other, to ask them forgiveness ; 
and where he hath done injury or wrong to any man, that he make 
amends to the uttermost of his power. And if he hath not before 
disposed of his goods, let him then be admonished to make his 
Will, and to declare his debts, what he oweth, and what is owing 
unto him, for the better discharging of his conscience, and the 
quietness of his Executors. But men should often be put in re- 
membrance to take order for the settling of their temporal estates 
whilst they are in health. 

The Exhortation before rehearsed, may be said before the Minister 
begin his Prayer, as he shall see cause. 

The Minister shall not omit earnestly to move such sick persons as 
are of ability, to be liberal to the poor 

And then the Minister shall say the Collect following. 

Let us pray. 
O most merciful God, who, according to the mul- 
titude of Thy mercies, dost so put away the sins of 
those who truly repent, that Thou rememberest them 
no more : open Thine eye of mercy upon this Thy 
servant, who most earnestly desireth pardon and for- 
giveness. Renew in him, most loving Father, what- 
soever hath been decayed by the fraud and malice 
of the devil, or by his own carnal will and frailness ; 
preserve and continue this sick member in the unity 
18 



of the Church ; consider his contrition, accept his 
tears, assuage his pain, as shall seem to Thee most ex- 
pedient for him. And forasmuch as he putteth his full 
trust only in Thy mercy, impute not unto him his for- 
mer sins, but strengthen him with Thy blessed Spirit ; 
and when Thou art pleased to take him hence, take 
him unto Thy favour, through the merits of Thy most 
dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Then shall the Minister say this Psalm. 

Psalm cxxx. De Profundis. 
Out of the deep have I called unto Thee, O Lord. 
Lord, hear my voice. 

let Thine ears consider well the voice of my 
complaint. 

If Thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is 
done amiss ; O Lord, who may abide it ? 

For there is mercy with Thee; therefore, shalt 
Thou be feared. 

1 look for the Lord, my soul doth wait for him : 
in his word is my trust. 

My soul fleeth unto the Lord before the morning 
watch ; I say, before the morning watch. 

O Israel, trust in the Lord, for with the Lord there 
is mercy ; and with him is plenteous redemption. 

And he shall redeem Israel from all his sins. 

Adding this : 

O Saviour of the world, who by Thy Cross and 
precious Blood hast, redeemed us ; save us and help 
us, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord. 



99 



Then shall the Minister say, 

The Almighty Lord, who is a most strong tower 
to all those who put their trust in Him, to whom all 
things in heaven, in earth, and under the earth, do 
bow and obey, be now and evermore thy defence ; 
and make thee know and feel, that there is none 
other name under heaven given to man, in whom, 
and through whom, thou mayest receive health and 
salvation, but only the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 

Here the Minister may use any part of the service of this Book 
which, in his discretion, he shall think convenient to the occasion ; 
and after that shall say, 

Unto God's gracious mercy and protection we 
commit thee: The Lord bless thee, and keep 
thee : The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, 
and be gracious unto thee : The Lord lift up His 
countenance upon thee, and give thee peace both 
now and evermore. Amen. 

Prayers which may he said with the foregoing service, or any jlart 
thereof, at the discretion of the Minister. 

A PRAYER FOR A SICK CHILD. 

O Almighty God and merciful Father, to whom 
alone belong the issues of life and death ; look down 
from heaven, we humbly beseech Thee, with the eyes 
of mercy upon this child, now lying upon the bed of 
sickness : Visit Aim, O Lord, with Thy salvation : 



100 

deliver him in Thy good appointed time from his 
bodily pain, and save his soul for Thy mercies' sake ; 
that if it shall be Thy pleasure to prolong his days 
here on earth, he may live to Thee, and be an instru- 
ment of Thy glory, by serving Thee faithfully, and 
doing good in his generation ; or else receive him 
into those heavenly habitations, where the souls of 
those who sleep in the Lord Jesus enjoy perpetual 
rest and felicity : Grant this, O Lord, for Thy mer- 
cies' sake, in the same Thy Son our Lord Jesus 
Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the 
Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. 
Amen. 

A PRAYER FOR A SICK PERSON, WHEN THERE APPEAR- 
ETH BUT SMALL HOPE OF RECOVERY. 

O Father of mercies, and God of all comfort, 
our only help in time of need ; We fly unto Thee 
for succour in behalf of this Thy servant, here lying 
under Thy hand in great weakness of body : Look 
graciously upon him, O Lord, and the more the out- 
ward mandecayeth, strengthen him, we beseech Thee, 
so much the more continually with Thy grace and 
Holy Spirit, in the inner man ; Give him unfeigned 
repentance for all the errors of his life past, and stead- 
fast faith in Thy Son Jesus, that his sins may be 
done away by Thy mercy, and his pardon sealed in 
heaven, before he go hence, and be no more seen. 
We know, O Lord, that there is no word impossible 



101 

with Thee ; and that, if Thou wilt, Thou canst even 
yet raise htm up, and grant him a longer continuance 
amongst us : Yet, forasmuch as in all appearance the 
time of his dissolution draweth near, so fit and pre- 
pare him, we beseech Thee, against the hour of 
death, that after his departure hence in peace, and in 
Thy favour, his soul may be received into Thine 
everlasting kingdom ; through the merits and media- 
tion of Jesus Christ, Thine only Son, our Lord and 
Saviour. Amen. 

A COMMENDATORY PRAYER FOR A SICK PERSON AT THE 
POINT OF DEPARTURE. 

O Almighty God, with whom do live the spirits 
of just men made perfect, after they are delivered 
from their earthly prisons ; we humbly commend the 
soul of this Thy servant, our dear brother, into Thy 
hands, as into the hands of a faithful Creator, and 
most merciful Saviour; most humbly beseeching 
Thee, that it may be precious in Thy sight: Wash 
it, we pray Thee, in the blood of that immaculate 
Lamb, that was slain to take away the sins of the 
world ; that whatsoever defilements it may have con- 
tracted in the midst of this miserable and naughty 
world, through the lusts of the flesh, or the wiles of 
Satan, being purged and done away, it may be pre- 
sented pure and without spot before Thee. And 
teach us who survive, in this and other like daily 
Bpectacles of mortality, to see how frail and uncertain 
our own condition is ; and so to number our days, 
18* 



102 

that we may seriously apply our hearts to that holy 
and heavenly wisdom, whilst we live here, which 
may in the end bring us to life everlasting, through 
the merits of Jesus Christ, Thine only Son, our Lord 
Amen. 

A PRAYER FOR PERSONS TROUBLED IN MIND OR IN 
CONSCIENCE. 

O blessed Lord, the Father of mercies and the 
God of all comforts, we beseech Thee, look down in 
pity and compassion upon this Thy afflicted servant. 
Thou writest bitter things against him, and makest 
him to possess his former iniquities : Thy wrath lieth 
hard upon him, and his soul is full of trouble : But, 
O merciful God, who hast written Thy holy word 
for our learning, that we, through patience and com- 
fort of Thy holy Scriptures, might have hope ; give 
him a right understanding of himself, and of Thy 
threats and promises ; that he may neither cast away 
his confidence in Thee, nor place it anywhere but in 
Thee. Give him strength against all his temptations, 
and heal all his distempers : Break not the bruised 
reed, nor quench the smoking flax : shut not up Thy 
tender mercies in displeasure ; but make him to hear 
of joy and gladness, that the bones which Thou hast 
broken may rejoice : Deliver him from fear of the 
enemy, and lift up the light of Thy countenance upon 
him; and give him peace, through the merits and 
mediation of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



103 



A PRAYER WHICH MAY BE SAID BY THE MINISTER, IN 
BEHALF OF ALL PRESENT AT THE VISITATION. 

O God, whose days are without end, and whose 
mercies cannot be numbered ; make us, we beseech 
Thee, deeply sensible of the shortness and uncertainty 
of human life : and let Thy Holy Spirit lead us 
through this vale of misery, in holiness and righteous- 
ness, all the days of our lives : That, when we shall 
have served Thee in our generation, we may be 
gathered unto our fathers, having the testimony of a 
good conscience ; in the communion of the Catholic 
Church ; in the confidence of a certain faith : in the 
comfort of a reasonable, religious and holy hope ; in 
favour with Thee our God, -and in perfect charity 
with the world: All which we ask through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

A PRAYER WHICH MAY BE SAID IN CASE OF SUDDEN 
SURPRISE AND IMMEDIATE DANGER. 

O most gracious Father, we fly unto Thee for 
mercy in behalf of this Thy servant, here lying under 
the sudden visitation of Thine hand. If it be Thy 
will, preserve his life, that there may be place for re- 
pentance : But if Thou hast otherwise appointed, let 
Thy mercy supply to him the want of the usual op- 
portunity for the trimming of his lamp. Stir up in 
him such sorrow for sin, and such fervent love to 
Thee, as may in a short time do the work of many 



104 

days : That among the praises which Thy saints and 
holy angels shall sing to the honour of Thy mercy 
through eternal ages, it may be to Thy unspeakable 
glory, that Thou hast redeemed the soul of this Thy 
servant from eternal death, and made him partaker 
of the everlasting life, which is through Jesus Christ 
our Lord, Amen. 

A THANKSGIVING FOR THE BEGINNING OF A RECOVERY. 

Great and mighty God, who bringest down to 
the grave, and bringest up again ; we bless Thy won- 
derful goodness, for having turned our heaviness into 
joy, and our mourning into gladness, by restoring 
this our brother to some degree of his former health. 
Blessed be Thy name, that Thou didst not forsake 
him in his sickness ; but didst visit him with comforts 
from above ; didst support him in patience and sub- 
mission to Thy will ; and at last didst send him sea- 
sonable relief. Perfect, we beseech Thee, this Thy 
mercy towards him ; and prosper the means which 
shall be made use of for his cure : That being restor- 
ed to health of body, vigor of mind, and cheerfulness 
of spirit, he may be able to go to Thine house, to 
offer Thee an oblation with great gladness ; and to 
bless Thy holy name for all Thy goodness towards 
him, through Jesus Christ our Saviour : To whom 
with Thee and the Holy Spirit, be all honour and 
glory, worid without end. Amen. 



THE OLD EPISCOPAL BOOKSTORE. 



CATALOGUE 



OP 



EPISCOPAL WORKS, 



PUBLISHED BY 




TRINITY CHURCH. 

STANFORD & SWORDS, 

(LATE SWORDS, STANFORD & CO.,) 

NO. 139, BROADWAY, NEW-YORK. 

«atobli0l)flr in 1787, 



Valuable Works, published by Stanford fy Swords. 

PALMER'S CHURCH HISTORY. 

A COMPENDIOUS ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, 

FROM THE EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE PRESENT TIME. 
BY THE REV. WILLIAM PALMER, M. A., 

AUTHOR OF " ORIGINES LITURGICJE,"' &C. 

WITH PREFACE AND NOTES BY AN AMERICAN EDITOR. 

In one volume. 12mo. 50c. 

* The truly learned and sound-minded author has set himself honestly to seek out the 
results of the system devised by Heavenly Wisdom, and set in operation by God himself, 
when He dwelt among us. He does not puzzle himself and his reader with an attempt at 
a * pragmatical ' investigation of the human motives and propensities that have carried on, 
while they seemed to thwart and vitiate, the divine counsels for man's salvation. Still 
less does he stoop to flatter the poor pride of human reason by lowering a narrative of 
God's doings with and in his Church to the tone of secular history, and making all plain 
and easy for the most unspiritual comprehension. He writes as a believer of the facts that 
he narrates ; but not a believer without investigation. He writes as one whose own be- 
lief makes him in earnest with his reader, and in consequence leaves the impression of 
reality on the mind. Convinced that God did indeed found his Church upon a rock, 
immoveable and unconquerable, he looks for it, without fear or shrinking, amid the worst 
of tempests of controversial strife or secular oppression, and under the deepest mists 
of ignorance and error, and not only finds it, signalized by its unvarying tokens of peace, 
holiness and joy, but makes it obvious to others. We see, with him, that though times have 
changed, and manners varied, the word and promise of God have endured unchanged, and 
their accomplishment has gone on invariably." — Bishop Whittingham. 



RECORDS OF A GOOD MAN'S LIFE, 

BY THE 

REV. CHARLES B. TAYLER, M. A. 

One handsome volume. 12mo. 75c. 

14 This is, indeed, a ' golden book ' — one that cannot be read without as much profit as 
pleasure by all who feel interest in the life of a good country parson. The narrative ex- 
nibits the character of a man who was distinguished, not for talent or learning, but for 
being in earnest, and heartily endeavoring to live up to his Christian profession — with 
whom baptism was not a form, but the commencement of a life of Christian faith." — 
Banner of the Cross. 

" An elegant reprint of a volume endeared to many a heart by a thousand charms of 
style, sentiment, and pious meditation. The loveliness of humanity passing through the 
stages of life under the influence, and illuminated by the divine light of the pure precepts 
of the Gospel, the surpassing beauty of holiness exhibited in the character of woman as a 
Christian wife and mother, and the manly dignity and nobleness of the Christian father 
and husband, are all here exhibited so sweetly, so truthfully, so eloquently, as to touch 
the soul of the most obdurate. We trust all our readers are so familiar with these pages, 
as to feel the justice of our praise, and to seize eagerly the opportunity of again meeting 
an old and beloved companion." — Protestant Churchman. 



HOBARTS FESTIVALS AND FASTS. 

A Companion to the Festivals and Fasts of the Protestant Episcopal Church 

in the United States of America. Principally selected and altered 

from Nelson's Companion for the Festivals and Fasts of 

the Church of England. 

WITH FORMS OF DEVOTION. 
BY JOHN HENRY HOBART, D. D., 

BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF NEW-YORK. 

One volume. 12mo. 75c. 

"It will prove a useful compauiou in the exalted exercises of the Christian life; 
and, while it serves to impress on the members of the Episcopal Communiou the excel- 
lence of their truly Apostolic and Primitive Church, it must excite them to adorn liicir 
profession by corresponding fervor of piety and sanctity of manners." 



Valuable Works, published by Stanford fy Swords, 

MELVILUS SERMONS. 

SERMONS BY HENRY MELVILL, B. D., 

Minister of Camden Chapel, Camberwell, and late Fellow and Tutor of St. Peter's College, 

Cambridge. 

EDITED BY THE RT. REV. C. P. M'lLVAINE, D. D., 
Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Ohio. 

Fourth edition . One volnme, royal 8vo. $2,50. 

This volume contains all the sermons yet published by the author, or under his sanc- 
tion. Many others have been published surreptitiously, which he never prepared for the 
press, and which ought not to be read as specimens of his preaching. 

A strong attestation of the merit of these discourses is given in thee fact, that flooded as 
is the market witli the immense variety of pulpit composition which the London press 
continually pours in, so that a bookseller can scarcely be persuaded to publish a volume 
of sermons at his own risk, and such a volume seldom reaches beyond a single edition, 
those of Melvill have passed through several, and do not cease to attract much attention. 

" Heartily do we admire the breathing words, the bold figures, the picturesque images, 
the forcible reasonings, the rapid, vivid, fervid perorations, of these discourses." — British 
Critic 



COMPANION FOR THE ALTAR, 

OR, 

WEEK'S PREPARATION 

FOR THE 

HOLY COMMUNION: 

Consisting of a Short Explanation of the Lord's Supper, and Meditations and 

Prayers proper to be used Before and During the Receiving of 

the Holy Communion; according to the Form prescribed 

by the Protestant Episcopal Church in the 

United States of America. 

BY JOHN HENRY HOBART, D. D., 

Bishop of the Prot. Epis. Church in the State of New- York. 
In one volume. 12mo. 50c. 

" The writer has endeavored to keep in view two principles, which he 
deems most important and fundamental. These principles are — That we are 
saved from the guilt and dominion of sin by the divine merits and grace of 
a crucified Redeemer ; and that the merits and grace of this Redeemer are 
applied to the soul of the believer in the devout and humble participation of 
the ordinances of the Church, administered by a Priesthood who derive their 
authority by regular transmission from Christ, the Divine Head of the Church, 
and the source of all power in it." 

Perhaps no other commendation of this work is needed than the fact, 
that since its first publication, in 1804, it has successfully withstood the 
competition of all other works on the same subject, has passed through almost 
countless editions, and is still steadily increasing in the favor of the pious 
and devout. 



JERRAM ON INFANT BAPTISM. 

CONVERSATIONS ON INFANT BAPTISM. 
BY CHARLES JERRAM, VICAR OF CHOBHAM, SURRY. 

One volume. l§mo. 37c. 

These Conversations furnish a complete view of the whole controversy, and a OK 
•luiive defence of Infant Baptism. 



Devotional Works, published by Stanford fy Swords. 
TREATISE ON THE LORD'S SUPPER, 

DESIGNED AS A GUIDE AND 

COMPANION TO THE HOLY COMMUNION. 
BY THE HEV. EDWARD BICKERSTETH, 

Edited, and adapted to the Services of the Protestant Episcopal Church 

in the United States, 

BY THE EEV. LEWIS P. W. BALCH, 

Rector of St. Bartholomew's Church, N. Y. 

One handsome volume. 12mo. 75c. 
CONTENTS.— Part I.— Chap. 1. The Appointment of the Lord's Supper 
—2. The Atonement made by the Death of Christ — 3. Our Faith in Christ's 
Atonement — 4. On the New Covenant — 5. The Design of the Lord's Supper 
-b-6. The Obligation to Receive the Lord's Supper — 7. Answers to the Ex- 
coses commonly made for not Coming to the Lord's Supper — 8. On Receiv- 
ing Unworthily — 9. On the Benefits connected with a Due Reception of the 
Lord's Supper — 10. The Happiness which would follow its General and 
Devout Observance — 11. On Communion with Christ and His People on 
Earth — 12. On the Heavenly Communion to be Hereafter enjoyed with 
our Lord. Part II. — Chap. 1. On Preparation for the Lord's Supper — 2. 
Helps for Self-Examination, and Prayers — 3. Meditations Preparatory to 
the Lord's Supper. — 4. Hints for the Regulation and Employment of the 
Mind during the Communion Service— 5. On the Communion Service of the 
Church — 6. On the Remembrance of Christ at the Lord's Table — 7. Medi- 
tations during the Communion — 8. Texts selected for Meditation, and 
arranged under different Heads — 9 , Meditations and Prayers after Receiving 
— 10. Psalms and Hymns suited to the Lord's Supper — 11. The Due Im- 
provement of the Lord's Supper. 

" It is indeed a cause of devout thankfulness, that books like • Bickersteth's Treatise 
on the Lord's Supper ' are in such demand. And a fervent Prayer is offered to God, that 
every effort to enlighten the hearts of men on the subject of the Holy Communion, may 
receive His gracious blessing, until the time come when all ' shall be devoutly and reli- 
giously disposed to receive the most comfortable sacrament of the Body and Blood of 
Christ, in remembrance of His meritorious Death and Passion, whereby alone we obtain 
of our sins, and are made partakers of the kingdom of heaven. ' " 



NEW MANUAL OF DEVOTIONS, 

IN THREE PARTS. 
Containing Prayers for Families and Private Persons : Offices of Humiliation 
— for the Sick — for Women — for the Holy Communion— with Oc- 
casional Prayers. 

CORRECTED AND ENLARGED BY THE RIGHT REV. 

LEVI SILLIMAN IVES, D.D., 

Bishop of the Diocese of North-Carolina. 

TO WHICH IS ADDED, 

A FRIENDLY VISIT TO THE HOUSE OF MOURNING. 

BY THE REV. RICHARD CECIL, M. A. 
One large 12 mo. volume. $1.00. 

" The volume here presented to the public, contains forms suited to aQ 
conditions in which human beings may be placed, and almost all conceivable 
variations of their circumstances, in a style well adapted to the simplicity of 
sincere and genuine piety." 



HANNAH MORE.— The Spirit of Prayer, by Hannah More • to which 
is added, Pietas Quotidiana, or Prayers and Meditations for every day 
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BISHOP SHORT.— What is Christianity ? By Thomas Vowler Short, 
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THE CHURCHMAN ARMED :— Containing A Compendious Ecclesi- 
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Rev. William Palmer, M. A., Author of Origines Liturgicae, &c. &c. ; 
with a Preface, Notes, and Questions, by an American Editor : also An 
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addressed to Dr. Mason by the late Bishop Hobart ; w r ith Notes and 
an Index. 1 vol. 12mo. $1. 

WILBERFORCE.— Family Prayers. By the late William Wilber- 
forck, Esq., Edited by his Son: to which are added, Prayers by the 
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THE BELIEVER'S POCKET COMPANION: containing a number of 
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PASSION WEEK. — Three Sermons of Latjncelot Andrewes, Bishop 
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CECIL'S VISIT— A Friendly Visit to the House of Mourning. By the 
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BP. WHITE'S MEMOIRS OF PROT. EPIS. CHURCH— Memoirs of 
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SEARCH OF TRUTH in the Science of the Human Mind. By the 
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Among the Books published by them in aid of Christian 

knowledge and piety, are the following : 

GOOD MAN'S LIFE. Records of a Good Man's Life, by Rev. C. B. 
Taylor. 12mo. 75 cents. A golden book. 

THE NEW MANUAL OF DEVOTIONS. — Edited by the Rt. Rev. 

Bishop Ives, of North Carolina. 1 vol. 12mo. Price $1. 

THE CHRISTIAN'S MANUAL of Faith and Devotion.— Edited by the 
late Rt. Rev. Bishop Hobart. 1 vol. 62| cents. 

THORNTON'S FAMILY PRAYERS, with a Commentary on our Lord's 
Sermon on the Mount. Edited bv the Rt. Rev. Bishop Eastburn. 
1 vol. 12mo. Price 75 cents. 

BICKERSTETH'S TREATISE On me lord's Supper. Enlarged and 
improved by the author, and edited by the Rev. L. P. W. Balch, 
Rector of St. Bartholomew's Church, New York. 1 vol. 12mo. 75cts. 

THE COMPANION FOR THE ALTAR : Or Week's Preparation for 
the Holy Companion. By the late Right Rev. Bishop Hobart. 1 voL 
Price 50 cents. 

THE COMMUNICANT'S MANUAL. By the same. A neat pocket 
volume. Price 18| cents. Morocco gilt, 37| cents. 

THE LIFE AND POSTHUMOUS WORKS of the late Right Rev. Bish- 
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THE LIFE AND SERMONS of the late Right Rev. Nathaniel Bow 
«n, Dw D. of South Carolina, and formerly of Grace Church, Nsw- 
York. 2 vols. 8vo. $4U 



' MELVILL'S SERMONS, Edited by Bishop McIlvaine. 3d edition, 
] in one large 8vo. volume. Price $2 50. 

j SERMONS— By the late Right Rev. Benjamin Moore, D. D., Bishop 

of New- York. 2 vols. 8vo. Price $2 50. 

j SERMONS— By the Rev. J. W. Cunningham, Vicar of Harrow, author 
of " The Velvet Cushion," « World without Souls," &c. &c. 1 voL 
8vo. $1. 

I SERMONS— By the late Rev. C. R. ltoffie, first Rector of St. Thomas's 

Church, New- York. 2 vols. 8vo. $2 50. 

PALMER'S HISTORY of the Church of Christ. Edited by the Right 
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work for Schools and Parishes. In cloth, 62* cents; in boards, 50 cts. 

THE LASTS DAYS OF BISHOP HEBER, By the Rev. Archdeacon 
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A TRIBUTE OF SYMPATHY— Addressed to Mourners. By Newn- 
ham. 12mo. 50 cents. 

BARROWS TREATISE on the Pope's Supremacy. Svo. $1 50. 

VILLAGE SERMONS, On the Relative Duties. To which is appended 
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THE CHURCHMAN'S MANUAL.— By the Rev. Benjamin Dorr, 
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flIDS TO REFLECTION.— By Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Witfc 
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BERRIAN'S PRAYERS.— Family and Private Prayers. By the Re7 
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PRAYERS AND OFFICES of Devotion for Families, and for Particular 
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JKRRAM AND WALL'S Conversations on Infant Baptism. 37$ cents 

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HOBART'S APOLOGY— An Apology for Apostolic Order and its Ad- 
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FESTIVALS AND FASTS.— A Companion to the Festivals and Fasts 
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REASONS WHY I AM A CHURCHMAN: or the Episcopalian Armed 

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WORKS OF THE LATE REV. JOHN A. CLARK, D. D— A Walk 
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THE HISTORY OF A POCKET PRAYER BOOK. By the Rev. Dr. 
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THE DEVOUT CHURCHMAN'S COMPANION; containing A New 
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AN ADDRESS TO YOUNG PERSONS about to be confirmed. By 
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THE RECOGNITION OF FRIENDS in Another World. By the Rer. 
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Devotional Works, published by Stanford Sf Swords. 

WILBERFORCE'S PRAYERS. 

FAMILY PRAYERS, 

BY THE LATE 

WILLIAM WILBERFORCE, ESQ. 



EDITED BY HIS SON, 

ROBERT ISAAC WILBERFORCE, M. A. 

TO WHICH ARE ADDED, 

PRAYERS BY THE REV. JOHN SWETE, D. D. 
One volume lS?no. cloth. 25c. 

" That the habit of family demotion is not inconsistent with the most zealous and unre- 
mitted discharge of public duty is evinced by the example which the author of these Pray- 
ers afforded. His singular union, indeed, of private religion and public usefulness, may in 
great measure be attributed to that state of mind of which this custom was at once a cause 
and a consequence. The Grecian colonists, whose more polished manners, and the sim- 
plicity of whose native speech, were endangered through the contaminations of barbarian 
intercourse, by assembling at stated seasons, to confess their degeneracy, and revive the 
thought of purer times, retained as well the language which was their common bond, as the 
superiority which was the birth-right of their race. Amidst the increasing turmoil of our 
days, the custom of daily worship may be looked to by Christians for a similar result. It 
has been shown, indeed, that this practice comes commended by the experience of former 
times. But if it were needed in a period of quiet and repose, how much more amidst the 
agitation by which our cities are now convulsed, and which shakes even the villages of 
our land ! In tranquil days, the disciples were comforted by the presence of Christ ; but 
it was amidst the waves of Gennesaret that they learned to appreciate that power which 
could hush the stormy elements into rest. It was when neither sun nor stars for many 
days appeared, and no small tempest lay upon him, that the captive apostle could be 
of good cheer, because there was with him the angel of that God, whose he was and whom 
he served." 



THORNTONS'S PRAYERS. 

FAMILY PRAYERS, 

AND 

PRAYERS ON THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 

TO WHICH IS ADDED, 

A FAMILY COMMENTARY UPON THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 

BY THE LATE 

HENRY THORNTON, ESQ., M. P. 

EDITED BY THE 

RIGHT REV. MANTON EASTBURN, D. D., 
Bishop of Massachusetts. 

One handsome volume. 12mo. 75c. • 

" The present volume contains two works, which have been separately published in Eng- 
land; the Family Commentary on the Sermon on the Mount having appeared there, about 
a year after the first edition of the Family Prayers. The arrangement now adopted will, 
it is thought, be found convenient for domestic worship ; as combining within the same 
volume a Manual of prayer, and portions of scriptural exposition for reading. 

" It may seem presumptuous in the Editor to say any thing by way of introduction to 
productions bearing on their title-page the name of Thornton : — a name, familiar not to 
England only, but to the world ; and indissoluble associated with our thoughts of whatever 
is enlarged in Christian bcmeficeuce, sound in religious views, and beautiful in consistency 
of daily practice. He will take the liberty, however, of simply saying, that in regard to 
the Family Prayers, that, without at all detracting from the merit of other works of the 
same description, they appear to him to preserve, in a remarkable degree, the difficult and 
happy medium between verboseness on the one hand, and a cold conciseness on the other. 
It is believed that none can use them, without feeling that they impart a spirit of grati- 
tude and self-humiliation. They are what prayers should be, — fervent, and yet perfectly 
simple. 

" The Commentary upon the Sermon on the Mount, is remarkable throughout for 
the profound insight into human nature which it manifests : for its clear exhibition of the 
fundamental truths of the gospel : and for the faithfulness, honesty, and at the same time, 
the true refinement and dignity, of the language in which its instructions are conveyed.'* 



Devotional Works, published by Stanford Sf Swords. 



JENKS 3 DEVOTIONS, 

ALTERED AND IMPROVED 

BY THE REV. CHARLES SIMEON, M. A., 

FELLOW OF KING'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE. 

From the 33d London edition. One volume. ISmo. 50c. 
" Its distinguishing excellency is, that far the greater part of the Prayers appear to hare 
been prayed and not written. There is a spirit of humiliation in them, which is admira- 
bly suited to express the sentiments and feelings of a contrite heart. There is also a 
fervor of devotion in them, which can scarcely fail of kindling a corresponding flame in 
the breasts of those who use them. But it is needless to pronounce an eulogy on a book, 
the value of which has beau already tested by the sale of many myriads? 



NELSON ON DEVOTION. 

THE PRACTICE OF TRUE DEVOTION, 

IN RELATION TO THE END, AS WELL AS THE MEANS OF RELIGION » 
WITH AN OFFICE FOR THE HOLY COMMUNION: 

BY ROBERT NELSON, ESQ. 

One volume. lS?no. 50c. 



HOBART'S CHRISTIAN'S MANUAL. 

THE CHRISTIAN'S MANUAL 
OF FAITH AND DEVOTION, 

Containing Dialogues and Prayers suited to the Various Exerercises of the 
Christian Life, and an Exhortation to Ejaculatory Prayer, with 
Forms of Ejaculatory and Other Prayers. 

BY JOHN HENRY HOBART, D. D., 

BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF NEW-VOKK. 

One thick ISmo. volume. 63c. 
" Its objeet is to exhibit and enforce the various exercises, duties, and 
privileges of the Christian life, to awaken the careless; to excite the luke- 
warm ; and to instruct and comfort the penitent believer." 



THE COMMUNICANT'S MANUAL. 

CONTAINING THE ORDER FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF 

THE HOLY COMMUNION. 
BY THE LATE BISHOP HOBART, OF NEW-YORK. 

TO WHICH ARE ADDED 

PRAYERS AND MEDITATIONS, 
BY BISHOPS TAYLOR, BEVERIDGE, AND OTHERS. 

A beautiful miniature edition. 31c. 



PASSION WEEK: 

THREE SERMONS OF LANCELOT ANDREWES, 

BISHOP OF WINCHESTER, 

ON THE PASSION OF OUR LORD. 

TO WHICH ARE ADDED 

EXTRACTS FROM HIS DEVOTIONS. 

One volume. Y&mo. 38c. 

M The author was a man of prayer, < full of faith and of the Holy Ghost; • his thoughts 
were often of the things of God, and his life was of as high an order as his thoughts. If 
hit style is somewhat old, yet it is full of life and point, and the matter rich ; and to bio 
who feels aright, his theme is ever new, and though common always stirring." 






fKRTAIN SERMONS OR HOMl LIES, appointed to be read in churches 
in the time of Queen Elizabeth; and reprinted by authority from 
King James I., A. D. 1G23. To which are added, the Constitutions 
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an Appendix, containing the Articles of Religion, Constitution, and 
Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of 
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same Author. 

MEMORIAL OF REV. DR. BAYARD, late Rector of St. Clement 
Church, New. York. 1 vol. 12mo. 

MY SAVIOUR: or Devotional Meditations on the Name and Titles 
of the Lord Jesus Christ. By the Rev. John East 18mo. 50. cts. 

HOBART'S EDITION OF D'OYLY & MANT'S BIBLE, 

according to the Authorised Version : with Notes, Explanatory and Prac- 
tical ; taken principally from the most eminent writers of the United 
Churches of England and Ireland : together with Appropriate Introduc- 
tion, Tables and Index. Prepared and arranged by the Rev. George 
D'Oyly, B. D. and the Rev. Richard Mant, D. D. : under the direc- 
tion of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge ; for the use of 
Families; with a large number of Additional Notes; selected and arrang- 
ed by John Henry Hobart, D. D., late Bishop of the Prot. Epis. 
C'lurch in the State of New- York — bound in 2 and 3 vols. Also the 
J* ew Testament separately. 1 vol. $2 50. This work should be in every 
'J .lurch family. It embodies within itself a complete Library of Prac- 
tical divinity, furnishing the opinion on sacred subjects of nearly 200 
Divines of the Church of England and America. 



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